Ten thousand steps and more. Don’t be afraid to exercise regularly. This is the message to people affected by osteoporosis from a group of British experts, stemming from a consensus statement published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, Monday, May 16, and endorsed by the Royal Osteoporosis Society. “It’s the best way to maximize bone health, avoid the risk of falls, and improve posture for sufferers”continue these experts. “This approach is particularly interesting because it involves the various stakeholders with a component based on scientific articles but also field expertise, whether clinical or experienced by the patient”, indicates Anne Vuillemin, professor at the University of the Côte d’Azur, who did not participate in the study.
Osteoporosis is a bone disease characterized by a reduction in bone strength leading to an increased risk of fracture. It increases with age and affects women more. The treatment aims to prevent the occurrence of fractures (neck of the femur, vertebrae, wrist, etc.).
“Osteoporotic patients should be encouraged to do more rather than less”, remind the authors, with muscle strengthening exercises two to three days a week and others with moderate impact (jogging, aerobics, etc.) several times a week. And “even a low level of activity should bring some benefits”, indicates the item.
“A great impression of fragility”
The authors distinguish people who have already suffered vertebral fractures, and/or frail or elderly people. For these, it is recommended to do low impact exercises, without exceeding the level of brisk walking, twenty minutes a day. The only forbidden exercise is leaning forward to lift a heavy object.
“These recommendations are useful because osteoporotic patients, fractured or not, often have a great impression of fragility, are afraid of falling, of hurting themselves, of having back pain, and this fear very often leads to a significant reduction in physical activity “, notes Christian Roux, head of the rheumatology department at Cochin hospital, who comments on the study. Femoral neck fractures often represent a break in life. This article will therefore provide the specialist with help for patients, he who has spent a lot of time in consultation for twenty years, telling them that “It’s important not to remain immobile, that immobilization is a factor of chronicity, etc. »
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