Does swimming help or hinder osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is the most serious symptom of menopause and probably the one that you need to be most educated about before you can treat it. Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens the bones because of a decrease in bone mass, and increases the risk of sudden or unexpected fractions or breaks. Its relationship with the menopausal period is that women are more susceptible to it during this time because the hormonal imbalance can cause its onset. The correct hormone balance is essential for regenerating bone. This explains why women make up 80% of osteoporosis suffers.

Is swimming an effective form of exercise for osteoporosis and why are there varied opinions about this?

It is important you know that swimming is never considered a bad option for osteoporosis, instead the varied opinions form because sometimes it comes highly recommended and sometimes it is not even mentioned. The key to treating this disease is to strengthen your bones, increase bone mass and in turn, ensure they are less prone to fractures or breaks. Quite often, high impact exercise is recommended as the best way to achieve healthier bones, so swimming is cast aside. However, it shouldn't be. Although swimming fails to put stress on the bones, it is effective in other ways.

Swimming is considered a low impact form of exercise, but for osteoporosis, it is this that is so appealing. You can exercise all of your muscles at one time and build bone mass, while you enjoy the lethargic weightlessness feeling that occupies you when you are in the pool, or sea. For some osteoporosis suffers, the thought of exercising worries them because of the strain it can put on the body, especially if you are in pain. However, with swimming, there is no need to worry so much. You can swim the laps at your own pace, make yourself feel happier and healthier and start to build up the bone mass. Swimming is a good aerobic exercise and may be a good place to start dealing with osteoporosis during menopause. Later you might want to go onto a different type of exercise that will put more pressure on your bones.

Swimming will also aid the prevention of osteoporosis because it is an effective way to burn fat, which will take pressure off your bones.

So, what then is the best form of high impact exercise for strengthening bones?

Weight-bearing exercises are the most effective way to achieve stronger bones, but this must be done sensibly because over exertion could be dangerous. The most obvious way is to lift weights two or three times a week. This will retain the calcium that is in the bones, and also stimulate the bone-strengthening process by forcing the muscles to pull against the bone. Activities such as running and stair climbing are also considered weight-bearing exercises. Swimming is not.

Recommendation

Exercise is vital because, along with diet, it is the most effective way of keeping your body healthy and happy, both externally and internally. If you are concerned that you might get osteoporosis during menopause, or if you already suffer with the disease, then help yourself by exercising regularly. Perhaps combine swimming with one form of weight-bearing exercise so you can prevent future problems. Follow this link to find out more information about the different exercises for osteoporosis.

To learn more about Osteoporosis

dealing with osteoporosis during menopause