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Bones Benefit from Exercise at Any Age

Older women trying to protect their bones and prevent fractures could benefit from exercise. A Finnish study of 160 elderly women randomized half to group instruction on exercises to improve balance and strength, while the other half did not get this intervention. During the 7-year follow-up period, more of the women in the control group were hospitalized with a fracture. Five of the women in the control group suffered hip fractures, compared to none in the exercise group. In addition, the exercising women were ten times less likely to die during this follow-up period. The authors suggest that elderly women with weakened bones, termed osteopenia, should be encouraged to exercise daily.
[Archives of Internal Medicine, Sept.27, 2010]

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About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
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