Bones

[Zen]

Weight bearing vs.cycling and swimming. News from Dr. Gabe


Dear Dr. Mirkin: Is it true that only weight-bearing sports
strengthen bones?

Many studies have shown that weight lifting and weight
bearing sports strengthen bones, but a new study from Thailand
suggests that non-impact exercise such as swimming or cycling
help to increase calcium absorption from the intestines (American
Journal of Physiology. Endocrinology and Metabolism, April
2009). In this study, rats that swam one hour a day, five days a
week for two weeks had a marked increase in calcium absorption
compared to their non-swimming litter mates. The researchers
conclude that any exercise helps to upregulate the calcium
transporter genes.

[Grits]

Boy, I like hearing that! I hope the finding holds up under further research. It SOUNDS reasonable.

[Biciclista]

that IS good news.

[OakLeaf]

and yet, there are these:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12856112
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10949001
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19127198

Admittedly, all studies of male athletes. But I don't think it's time to hang up your running shoes or jump ropes yet. Calcium uptake doesn't automatically translate into stronger bones.

[pfunk12]

A few years ago when I was injured and couldn't run, I started to take spinning classes at my local sports club. Dr. Mirkin was on the bike next to me (and his wife rode the bike next to him). Nice guy - very direct, informative, and a huge supporter of cycling. He asked me what my deal was and I explained that while I was injured, I needed to find a new physical activity so I wouldn't go crazy. He asked me about my running history - mileage, PRs, etc. and he said that he used to run/race. We talked about how sometimes running isn't kind to your body because of the impact. He told me that due to all of the mileage that I had been doing, I would soon be a cyclist. Maybe he has ESP?! I told him that I hadn't been on a bike in 17 years and as long as I could still run, I wasn't planning on buying a bike. He thought that I had decent form while spinning (but obviously it's different than riding a moving bike) so he thought that the transition from running would be an easy one for me. Being the huge supporter of cycling that he is, he invited me to his house so that I could try one of his wife's older bikes and if it fit, they would give it to me. Unfortunately, it didn't fit but I thought that it was so kind of them to offer. I often see them riding their tandem bike. Maybe next time I'll ride up along side them and say, "Look! I'm a cyclist now!" Or as a running friend of mine recently said, "You've crossed over to the dark side!"

[Zen]

What a cool story! I love Dr. Gabe.

[shootingstar]

Being the huge supporter of cycling that he is, he invited me to his house so that I could try one of his wife's older bikes and if it fit, they would give it to me. Unfortunately, it didn't fit but I thought that it was so kind of them to offer. I often see them riding their tandem bike. Maybe next time I'll ride up along side them and say, "Look! I'm a cyclist now!" Or as a running friend of mine recently said, "You've crossed over to the dark side!"

Might be a good idea to thank him, if timing is right with the couple on their tandem. If he doesn't remember, she might remember the bike fit problem when you visited them. Many people who give advice with the greatest of intentions to solve a health-related problem, tend to enjoy hearing positive feedback. (Remember, they hear alot of complaints/negatives from "patients" daily in their jobs, that's why they are trained in the first place to handle such problems.)

[Cataboo]

and yet, there are these:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12856112
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10949001
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19127198

Admittedly, all studies of male athletes. But I don't think it's time to hang up your running shoes or jump ropes yet. Calcium uptake doesn't automatically translate into stronger bones.

This one's female:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10997953?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DiscoveryPanel.Pubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=2&log$=relatedarticles&logdbfrom=pubmed