Exercise may also help boost the immune system and even help promote such healthy habits as getting a good night's sleep. A condition caused by bones losing their mineral mass and progressively becoming porous and prone to fracture. Osteoporosis is responsible for 70 percent of fractures in adults over age 45 and is a prime cause of disability in the elderly. The best prevention strategy against bone loss is adequate intake of calcium throughout life. In addition, women should discuss with their doctor the benefits of estrogen replacement therapy to help slow the loss of calcium from the bone after menopause.
Regular exercise can help slow the rate of bone loss in post-menopausal women.
Research indicates that the mechanical stress of weight-bearing activities like walking, running, jumping, dancing, stair climbing and strength training may stimulate the bone to conserve calcium. Strength training may be of particular benefit for those at risk of osteoporosis. Women participating in strength-training activities may not only build and maintain bone density but may also help prevent falls by improving balance and increasing strength of muscles that support and protect joints. Improving muscle strength will also enable older women to remain active throughout their lives, thus avoiding loss of bone from inactivity. Free-weight exercises are helpful in developing coordination and balance.