Walking and weight training alone are not enough for strong bones—football and handball may be more effective
When it comes to maintaining healthy bones, how intensely we exercise may matter more than how much we exercise, according to researchers at Semmelweis University. Their study, published in Sports Medicine – Open, found that bone formation was stimulated most effectively by activities involving explosive movements, rapid changes of direction and turning. The findings could help improve exercise…
A recent study conducted by researchers at Semmelweis University indicates that high-intensity sports like football and handball may be more effective at maintaining strong bones than walking or traditional resistance exercises. The researchers, who analyzed 24 clinical studies involving 1,238 healthy adults, found that activities involving explosive movements, rapid changes of direction, and turning led to significant increases in substances linked to bone formation.
These high-intensity sports were associated with bone formation increases of 45% to 46%. In contrast, low- to moderate-intensity endurance exercise like walking and conventional resistance training showed no significant long-term effects on bone-formation biomarkers. The study's senior author, Dr. Péter Ferdinandy, emphasizes the importance of considering individual health conditions before starting a new exercise program, as high-intensity activities may not be suitable for everyone.
While regular physical activity offers numerous health benefits, the researchers suggest that high-intensity exercise may be particularly crucial for maintaining bone health and preventing osteoporosis.
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