Exercise for Bone Health Video Transcript

Webcast Transcript

MARKS, MD: Now, does this only work for people who are a little bit older and maybe they're losing their bone mass at a higher rate, or does this actually help when people are younger?

PAULA RACKOFF, MD: Actually, it's a really important question, because the greater your bone density when you're younger, the greater the bone density you'll have when you're getting older, so it's really important that children and teenagers exercise regularly, and they're really the ones who should be playing field hockey, soccer and jogging and really maximizing their bone density.

DAVID R. MARKS, MD: Does it make a difference in people who have a genetic predisposition to this disease?

PAULA RACKOFF, MD: It's just that much more important. If you had a mother or a grandmother who had a hip fracture and you're aware of that as a kid, you should be out there jogging and being as active as you can.

DAVID R. MARKS, MD: Are there any exercises a person shouldn't do?

PAULA RACKOFF, MD: For patients or people who already know that they have osteoporosis, the exercise you really don't want to do is flexion and extension of the back, because that can actually put so much stress on the spine that you could cause a vertebral fracture.

DAVID R. MARKS, MD: What does that mean, "flexion and extension?"

PAULA RACKOFF, MD: Bending backwards and forwards.

DAVID R. MARKS, MD: So people should not do that?

PAULA RACKOFF, MD: Not excessively.

DAVID R. MARKS, MD: Any final comments about exercise and osteoporosis?

PAULA RACKOFF, MD: The only other thing to be aware of is that there are different parts of the country where kids exercise too much, and certainly for a young, growing girl there's a risk of becoming so addicted to exercise that a girl can lose her menstrual cycle, and then it becomes a serious problem.

DAVID R. MARKS, MD: Does that set her up for osteoporosis?

PAULA RACKOFF, MD: Yes, actually. That increases her chance for not being able to attain her best peak bone density.

DAVID R. MARKS, MD: So moderation?

PAULA RACKOFF, MD: Moderation, but active.

DAVID R. MARKS, MD: Thanks for being here.

PAULA RACKOFF, MD: Thank you.

DAVID R. MARKS, MD: Thank you for joining our webcast. I'm Dr. David Marks. Goodbye.

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