Physical Activity May Increase Men's Bone Density

Men may have a new reason to maintain a healthy exercise routine, as the results of a recent study indicate that remaining physically active can help men build their bone mass density (BMD). The study, published in the American Journal of Men’s Health, analyzed data on 203 men aged 30 to 65 years, paying particular attention to the patients’ participation in sports and other forms of exercise.

The researchers found that patients who continuously participated in high-impact activities, such as jogging and tennis, as adolescents and young adults had greater hip and lumbar spine BMD than participants who did not. However, participants who engaged in these bone-loading activities later in adulthood were also found to benefit their BMD.

“The most important take-away is that if you are healthy, it is never too late to begin high-impact activities or resistance training to improve bone mineral density,” said lead researcher Pamela Hinton, MD. “While activity during skeletal growth is significant, we also saw positive associations between such physical activity and bone density at all ages. So, even middle-aged men who spent their teenage years sitting on the couch could see benefits from beginning a bone-strengthening exercise program.”

The study authors expressed hope that their findings could help men reduce their risk of developing osteoporosis and other health conditions related to low BMD, as the consequences of these conditions can prove worse for men than for women.