Why exercise is essential for osteoporosis management
Bone is living tissue that responds to mechanical loading. When bones are stressed through weight-bearing exercise, they adapt by becoming denser and stronger. When people are sedentary, bones lose density over time. This principle underpins the role of exercise physiology in osteoporosis management.
A clinical exercise program for osteoporosis focuses on:
- Progressive resistance training — the most evidence-backed exercise type for maintaining and improving bone density, particularly at the hip and spine
- Weight-bearing aerobic exercise — walking, dancing and similar activities that load the skeleton through ground reaction forces
- Balance training — reducing falls risk, which is as important as bone density in fracture prevention
- Postural exercises — improving spinal extension and reducing the forward flexion that contributes to vertebral fracture risk
Exercise safety in osteoporosis: Not all exercises are safe with osteoporosis. High-impact activities, spinal flexion exercises and certain yoga poses carry fracture risk. An accredited exercise physiologist designs programs that provide bone-loading benefit while avoiding movements that could cause vertebral compression fractures.
How much improvement can exercise achieve?
Studies consistently show that progressive resistance training can maintain or modestly increase bone mineral density at clinically important sites (hip and spine) in postmenopausal women and older adults. More importantly, exercise reduces falls by up to 34%, which is the most significant driver of fracture risk reduction.
The combination of bone-loading exercise and falls prevention training is more effective for fracture prevention than either alone.
Funding options
- Medicare CDM — osteoporosis qualifies for a GP Management Plan. Your GP can refer you for up to five rebated exercise physiology sessions per year. Exercare bulk bills eligible clients.
- Aged care — exercise physiology is a fully-funded Clinical Support under Support at Home. Exercare liaises directly with your provider.
- Private health — most extras policies covering exercise physiology apply.
- Self-funded — available without referral.
Osteoporosis exercise physiology in south-east Melbourne
Exercare provides mobile exercise physiology for osteoporosis management across south-east Melbourne. Medicare CDM, aged care and private health accepted. We come to you.
Written by the Exercare team. Exercare provides mobile exercise physiology for osteoporosis across south-east Melbourne. Start with Medicare or private health →