Low bone mineral density is associated with balance impairments in a recent study published in the Annals of Epidemiology. The study analyzed 8863 participants aged 40 years and older and looked at their total and head bone mineral density along with their results on a balance test. Those with low bone mineral density were more than twice as likely to fail the balance test then subjects with normal done mineral density. Subjects who were 65 or older were almost four times as likely to fail the balance test if they had low bone mineral density.
What does this mean? Does low bone density cause balance issues and if so, how? Is their something else that is causing both low bone density and balance problems?
I do not believe that low bone density causes balance impairments, but I do agree with the results of the study that the two are related. I believe their is something else that is causing both low bone mineral density and balance impairments. Let's think about what causes low bone density and just as important what maintains bone density. Lack of exercise and weight bearing activity allows bone density to decrease over time, while regular exercise and weight bearing activity maintain bone density. What does this have to do with balance?
Good balance is dependent on healthy, strong, and functional muscles. Little exercise means low muscle tone and poor muscle function which leads to balance problems. Regular exercise maintains muscle strength and function which also maintains the ability to balance.
I'm sure further studies on bone density and balance will eventually lead to this conclusion, but it will take years as research does. Common sense gets us there much faster!
So if you'd like to prevent balance issues as you get older, continue to exercise and do weight bearing activity (not weights as much as body weight exercises that load the upper and lower body) and you will maintain your balance, muscle strength, bone density, and ability to enjoy an active life as you age. What more would you want?!
Good balance is dependent on healthy, strong, and functional muscles. Little exercise means low muscle tone and poor muscle function which leads to balance problems. Regular exercise maintains muscle strength and function which also maintains the ability to balance.
I'm sure further studies on bone density and balance will eventually lead to this conclusion, but it will take years as research does. Common sense gets us there much faster!
So if you'd like to prevent balance issues as you get older, continue to exercise and do weight bearing activity (not weights as much as body weight exercises that load the upper and lower body) and you will maintain your balance, muscle strength, bone density, and ability to enjoy an active life as you age. What more would you want?!
Resources:http://www.annalsofepidemiology.org/article/S1047-2797(13)00402-X/abstract
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