FED: Bone lazy people open to fractures

AAP General News (Australia)
08-08-1999
FED: Bone lazy people open to fractures

BRISBANE, Aug 8 AAP - Bone lazy people were more likely to suffer fractures than those with
a more active lifestyle, the Chiropractors' Association of Australia said today.

Spokesman Andrew Vincent, said less than 50 per cent of people aged 18-years and over took
part in strenuous physical activity at least once a year, and the figure was higher in older
age brackets.

Dr Vincent said: "A survey by the Australian Bureau of Statistics identified age as
determining whether people undertake physical activity."

He said sedentary lifestyles left people with loss of bone density and lower muscle tone,
which lead to an increased risk of fractures.

"However, it's never too late to look after your bones, and adults need to be encouraged to
become active, whatever their age group," Dr Vincent said.

He said St Mary's Hospital in London had found weight bearing exercise was the best to
improve bone density, while the University of Texas had found regular exercise minimised the
bone disease, osteoporosis.

Dr Vincent said many women relied on hormone replacement to minimise the disease, instead
of regular exercise.

National Health Bones Week, starting tomorrow, would encourage people to seek more
information about how regular exercise can help them avoid bone problems.

AAP geb/adh

KEYWORD: BONES (REPEATING)

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