Evercare World Osteoporosis Day
Osteoporosis is a chronic disease which makes your bones more likely to break, but many people don’t know that they have osteoporosis until they break or fracture a bone.
It’s estimated that 6.2 million Australians, aged 50 years or older, had osteoporosis or osteopenia in 2022.
Exercise is key when preserving strong and healthy bones… discover the types of exercises that your bones truly appreciate:
- Weight-Bearing Impact Loading Exercise: Activities that make you bear your own weight and rapidly jolt your bones, such as jogging, skipping, basketball, and more.
- Resistance Training: Utilising hand and ankle weights and gym equipment to progressively build strength.
- Balance Exercises and Fall Prevention: Especially crucial for older adults in reducing the risk of fractures. These exercises include:
- Standing Still Exercises: Like standing on one leg, raising your arms, or putting one foot in front of the other.
- Moving Exercises: Walking in small circles, making sudden changes in direction, stepping over obstacles, walking on your toes, or walking with your arms raised above your head.
- Dual Task Exercises: Testing your balance while juggling multiple tasks, like standing on one leg while throwing and catching a ball.
For added safety, practice these exercises under supervision if you’re concerned about falls. And don’t forget to book an appointment with your Evercare GP to review your calcium and vitamin D levels, as they play a crucial role in maintaining healthy bones.
World Osteoporosis Day is the 24th October.
