Even Highly Trained Cyclists at Risk for Low Bone Denisty

A new study from the University of Missouri-Columbia reports that even men who participate in cycling at a very high intensity can have an increased incidence of osteopenia, or low bone density, due to the non-impact nature of the sport.

The researchers measured bone mineral density in 43 competitive male cyclists and runners ages 20 to 59 and found:

• The cyclists had significantly lower bone mineral density of the whole body, especially of the lumbar spine, compared to runners.
• 63 percent of the cyclists had osteopenia of the spine or hip compared with 19 percent of the runners.
• Cyclists were seven-times more likely to have osteopenia of the spine than the runners.

The risk of stress fractures increase significantly in people with osteopenia. Left untreated, osteopenia can lead to osteoporosis.

In order to combat these risks, all athletes are advised to participate in some form of regular weight-bearing exercise, such as:

• Weight Training, especially the the Squat Exercise
• Plyometrics
• Jumping Exercises, such as practicing the vertical jump.
• Body Weight Exercises can also help build bone density
• or other impact exercise like jump roping, or running

_{Source:
R.S. Rector, R. Rogers, M. Ruebel and P.S. Hinton, Participation in road cycling versus running is associated with lower bone mineral density in men, to be published in Metabolism, 2007}