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.