The human body is equipped with an impressive apparatus to overcome the forces of natural gravity on planet earth. This apparatus consists of the bones and joints of the skeleton, together with the tendons and muscles. Moreover, the physical stimuli of pressure, weight, and the “push and pull” of movements – controlled and uncontrolled, sudden and slow, continuous and interrupted – directly stimulate the bone cells to form new bone and thereby increase bone mass. Without adequate physical activity, 5–10% of the muscle mass may be lost per annum. This in turn leads to a decrease in bone mass. It should be noted that physical activity is just as, if not more, important for the prevention of osteoporosis as medication.
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Chapter 10 Physical Activity and Exercise Programs
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Bartl, R., Frisch, B. (2009). Physical Activity and Exercise Programs. In: Osteoporosis. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-79527-8_10
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