any non runners?

[Zen]

I want my bones to stay strong.

Do you do any weightlifting/resistance exercise?
To maintain healthy bones exercise has to be weight bearing (another strike against swimming).
I think cycling qualifies.

[emily_in_nc]

Do you do any weightlifting/resistance exercise?
To maintain healthy bones exercise has to be weight bearing (another strike against swimming).
I think cycling qualifies.

Unfortunately, that's not the case. I believe that cycling is considered mostly non-weight-bearing. A recent study that Bicycling magazine cited determined that a large % of male elite (road) cyclists had bones similar to women after menopause! Perhaps someone could provide an exact citation - I'm at work and can't look it up now.

I seem to recall that the intense sweating cycling can result in can deplete calcium as well.

As I recall, the article recommended that cyclists participate in other forms of exercise as well to get bone-maintaining benefits, such as lower body weight work, running, hiking, and so forth.

Hope this helps!

Emily

[TsPoet]

Unfortunately, that's not the case. I believe that cycling is considered mostly non-weight-bearing. A recent study that Bicycling magazine cited determined that a large % of male elite (road) cyclists had bones similar to women after menopause! Perhaps someone could provide an exact citation - I'm at work and can't look it up now.

I seem to recall that the intense sweating cycling can result in can deplete calcium as well.

As I recall, the article recommended that cyclists participate in other forms of exercise as well to get bone-maintaining benefits, such as lower body weight work, running, hiking, and so forth.

Hope this helps!

Emily

There were articles (2 of them) published ~2002, and they have been "interpreted" in cycling magazines and the like. They get brought up about once/year.

Nichols, JF, Palmer, JE, Levy, SS
Low bone mineral density in highly trained male master cyclists
OSTEOPOROSIS INT 14 (8): 644-649 AUG 2003

The article shows that cycling *at the exclusion* of other exercise (like general sports) has resulted in these 50-something men having low bone densities (Table 4, for those of you reading along). Their study population and controls were not optimal. Basically, what they found is that these master cyclists never participated in sports when they were younger. (I wonder if cyclists are loaners or something, might be an interesting epi study).
The second article is not in a peer-reviewed journal and I haven't been able to find it. But, this first article (which is interesting) is pretty good.
So, based on these studies, it looks like cycling doesn't build bone density, but it doesn't deplete it, either - although many articles have miss-interpreted these articles to say it does.
According to the cellular biologists down the hall from me who work with bone, the only way calcium could be sweated out of bone is if the person was very compromised in the first place. They also point out that a stationary bike is a major source of exercise used in the space program, where they've found it to be effective in decreasing bone loss in astronauts.

[indysteel]

Running was my first sport when I was younger. I ran the 800 and 1600 meters competitively with some success. After a number of painful injuries, however, I grew to hate it. I ran off and on during college and law school, but it's been at least 10 years since I've done it with any regularity. Now, my cross training consists mostly of light weights and yoga, and I'm hoping to add rock climbing (on a rock wall until I'm ready for the real thing) and maybe some x-country skiing into the mix. I, too, am concerned about bone density.

I was talking to a PT yesterday who also teaches Pilates, and she looked at me kind of funny when I suggested that yoga (at least the kind I do) is weight bearing. I'm curious as to whether that's really the case. When I think of the poses I hold and the strength it takes to hold them, I have to believe that they're weight bearing. Perhaps not as much as running, but then again, running carries a high risk of injury. Any thoughts?

[TsPoet]

I was talking to a PT yesterday who also teaches Pilates, and she looked at me kind of funny when I suggested that yoga (at least the kind I do) is weight bearing. I'm curious as to whether that's really the case. Any thoughts?

I just googled yoga bone density and came up with tons of hits - all saying yoga builds bone density. I find yoga to be incredibly hard (in a good way) and relaxing at the same time, so I'd believe it!

[Bad JuJu]

I used to run, but haven't in more than 10 years. I never liked it much, but did it for physical fitness tests when I was in the navy. Walking, now--I love walking, but not as much as I love cycling.

[sgtiger]

I despise running just for the sake of running. I don't know what comes over me, but once in a blue moon, I'll decide I need to take up running. A few blocks into I'm reminded just how much I can't stand it.

Other activities I do enjoy, though, are: yoga, tai chi, jump-roping, swimming, (occasionally) weight-lifting. I'd like to learn how to surf and start rock-climbing and snow-shoeing again.

[Velobambina]

I've tried to add running back in for cross-training purposes, but it seems to result in injury. In the 90s, I used to run half- and full marathons until Piriformis Syndrome kicked in. I can now manage the PFS with stretching and not overtraining, but overpronation now is the problem. Doesn't seem to cause knee problems -- hits me in the ankles.

For crosstraining, I am back to rowing. I also walk/hike and occasionally, do some kickboxing (Powerstrike).

[Torrilin]

Do you do any weightlifting/resistance exercise?
To maintain healthy bones exercise has to be weight bearing (another strike against swimming).
I think cycling qualifies.

Cycling doesn't qualify, according to my doctor. Nor does walking. Jump rope does. Thus my desire for one *g*. It's one of the few forms of exercise that doesn't hurt *and* will help my bones. He's also suggested weight training. Both body weight exercises (like pushups and pullups) and free weight training meet his criteria. Most of his other suggestions are things that hurt, and so we've agreed it's best to ignore them.

I've been doing some bodyweight exercises, but they focus on the upper body. Jumping rope would focus on the lower body.

Based on my research, he's being careful because I'm on medication that increases my risk of bone loss. This is not a bad thing to my way of thinking . Bone loss and my already bad skeleton are not a good combination. Hrm, I think I just talked myself into hunting down a jump rope.

[caligal]

I did cross country in high school, long time ago, I hate running, I only run when I am being chased. I rollerblade/rollerhockey, play soccer in a low key rec league (I play d, rarely run, just a few short sprints here and there) in the summer and ice hockey in the winter. I also ski and cross country ski in the winter.

[KnottedYet]

Jump rope!!! Oooh, jump rope is fun! I need to find an "adult" sized one... this could be good for me.

[Starfish]

Jump rope!!! Oooh, jump rope is fun! I need to find an "adult" sized one... this could be good for me.

Knot, I see you as one who could organize a jump rope club...you know, not solo jumping, but the kind with 2 ropes we used to do on the playground with a girl at each end...You could stash some ropes at Logboom Park and stop for some jump rope on your next pick-up group ride!

But, this is how I tore all my ligaments in 5th grade...so I will have to pass!