11/14/2024
Know your bone density (BMD)? You should. Bone mineral density not unlike most things related to our bodies’ functioning, decreases with age. However, this can be moderated with regular exercise when that exercise is comprised of lifting weights. This stimulates bone growth and can maintain the integrity of our bones, reducing the likelihood of a break if we fall.
In addition, DEXA provides other very useful info in terms of body composition, including Appendicular Lean Mass (ALM) or the measurement of lean tissue in the arms and legs, percentage of total fat mass, and the most important and insidious type of fat, visceral fat. This type of fat collects around the organs and can impair their function. You want as little of this as possible.
For any new training client I work with, they will first be sent for DEXA. It’s an incredibly easy scan and only takes about 15 minutes. It’s also super low radiation so there’s no worries about excessive radiation exposure. And if you head to First Call Urgent Care in Columbia as a walk in, you’ll be fortunate to work with Keith who is awesome and loves his job!
Reach out with any questions. And for all you endurance athletes out there, here’s a breakdown of relative bone density scores by sport: Swimmers have the lowest bone density when compared to age matched controls, followed by cyclists who are no better than the average population and then runners who are only slightly better than the average person.
LIFT WEIGHTS PEOPLE!
