Cycling causes brittle bones

[Hackster]

Was forwarded this link very recently.

 

And I recall reading similar material some time back.

 

http://www.plasticsurgeoncapetown.com/cycling-causes-brittle-bones.php

 

Any of our medical hubbers care to comment?

 

I would have thought that MTBing, with all its bouncing about, would have worked the other way - promoting bone densification. (given that you don't run out of talent of course...)

 

 

 

 

 

 

['Dale]

Very valuable scientific wisdom

[Guest DieBees]

Its true. I was part of a study at WITS few years ago that proved the theory.

[milky4130]

Its true. I was part of a study at WITS few years ago that proved the theory.

didnt not read the article in the link yet but out of curiosity how long was the study?

[NukeproofPeanut]

Makes sense, so running and leg day at gym is quite an important part of training!

[rgraham]

There is one study that suggests that mountain bikers do have a higher bone density than their roadie counterparts. It is a small study and they admit that the average age of the mountain bikers was significantly lower (which is a confounding factor because the younger you are the denser your bones tend to be). I would think that the more one has to get off one's bike and run and scramble up steep inclines the more dense one's bones would be. Those guys who do less technical off road riding without big drops and where they never get off their bikes would, I think, not have enough bone compression to stimulate an improvement in bone density.

 

Bone mineral density of competitive male mountain and road cyclists

S.E Warnerhttp://www.thebonejournal.com/templates/jsp/_style2/_marlin/images/icon_email.png

, 

J.M Shaw

, 

G.P Dalsky

Received: April 17, 2001

[Guest DieBees]

didnt not read the article in the link yet but out of curiosity how long was the study?

It was a day, however, dealt with riders that have been riding for 1 - 30 years respectively.

[V12man]

If it worries you, go and have a bone density scan done. Then if you have issues please address them. .. and repeat the scan every couple of years to see if you are regressing.

 

I am inclined to believe it is more of an issue with ultra skinny high mileage riders, than the more average profiled amateur.

 

That said, all training programs should include weight bearing activities to help encourage bone strength - 10k running a week and the odd weights workout should be enough. And check your diet for sufficient calcium intake.

[Guest DieBees]

If it worries you, go and have a bone density scan done. Then if you have issues please address them. .. and repeat the scan every couple of years to see if you are regressing.

 

I am inclined to believe it is more of an issue with ultra skinny high mileage riders, than the more average profiled amateur.

 

That said, all training programs should include weight bearing activities to help encourage bone strength - 10k running a week and the odd weights workout should be enough. And check your diet for sufficient calcium intake.

Yip. This makes sence. When I conducted the test about five years ago I was cycling for 15 years. My bones werent affected at all. I only cycle and do some (very little) walking. It is really only for the long distance very small rider that this applies to.

[David Marshall]

I have been under treatment for oestioporosis since I was 38 (now 61).  This in spite of a long running career.  You can imagine my distress when I first started reading the reports a couple of years ago as my exercise and passion for the last six years has been road riding.  In my case my bone density deterioration has not been significantly influenced by cycling. (Or the drugs are working!).  I think the benefits of being fit and motivated have greatly outweighed the disadvantages.  In life balance is the key.  Introduce some load bearing exercise into your routine and make sure you have a balanced diet.

 

If you go the scan route make sure that successive scans are done on the same machine as you are measuring small deviations and you can have significant variations.  Also plot the results over time yourself as it is the long term trend that is important.  The year to year results can skew the picture (these are what the professionals see and act on). 

[milky4130]

I am inclined to believe it is more of an issue with ultra skinny high mileage riders, than the more average profiled amateur.

 

hahaha is that the new word to describe fat people?

You got me worried now as i fall into the super skinny high mileage category & just recently fractured a finger on a very simple front wheel wash out.

[dev null]

That is why it is important to cross-train.  Change which muscle groups you are targeting and also the way in which they are exercised.

 

Cycling, Paddling, Running and Swimming.  I hate running though.

[MrJacques]

I've read the powerplate training can help with bone density.

 

Calcium needs to be taken w Magnesium for better absoption as far as I remember.

 

I do some light boxing with a punching bag now and then, but I guess I should go take a jog every now and then as well.

[TALUS]

All true. Really not alarming. Sedentary people do worse. Weightbearing exercise also has side - effects. Not to mention obesity.

BTW: that op was really badly done. He will get a total replacement of the hip in less than a year. He will still cycle a lot in the years to come.

[TopFuel]

All true. Really not alarming. Sedentary people do worse. Weightbearing exercise also has side - effects. Not to mention obesity.

BTW: that op was really badly done. He will get a total replacement of the hip in less than a year. He will still cycle a lot in the years to come.

 

I'm glad I'm not the only one. I mean, I'm not an orthopaedic surgeon's a***, but that didn't look great.

[Heel Drop]

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