It s taken for such a dainty activity. But there s a lot of weight-bearing motion going on in the garden digging holes, pulling weeds, pushing a mower. The study adds another weapon that women can use in the fight against osteoporosis. Given a choice, many older women in fact may prefer weeding a rose garden to pumping iron in a gym. The best thing about yard work is that so many people are willing to do it.
People have other motivations for gardening.
They take pride in a beautiful yard and pleasure in being outdoors. They ll probably continue to do it as long as they re able. More than half of the 3,310 women in the University of Arkansas study 57 percent showed low-bone density. All were 50 and older. Turner examined how often the women performed different activities, including yard work, calisthenics, bicycling, dancing, aerobics, swimming, jogging, walking, and weight training.