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Home » IDEA Answers » Does jumping in a cardio workout help build bone density in older adults?
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Question asked by Janice Johnson 132 days ago

Does jumping in a cardio workout help build bone density in older adults?

Older Adults

Adults with joint issues, lower back pain ...will this population benefit from some gravitational activation, low-level bouncing or jumping on the spot in good alignment?

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Answers (8)

Answered by Janet Weller 131 days ago
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Anything that puts stress on the bone can help build bone density. That said, it is very hard for older adults to actually increase bone density through diet and exercise alone. The best we usually hope for is to slow the loss. The problem with jumping is you are dealing with people who may already have osteoporosis. If so, jumping is contraindicated, as they are at risk for fractures. You can help them build (or at least maintain) bone by having them lift weights. Walking alone is not usually stressful enough to build bone, but hills can help increase the stress of the walk. If your client can tolerate it, add a weighted vest for walking, which will help increase the stress on the bones, but minimize the stress on the joints.
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Answered by Daniel Kosich 131 days ago
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Janet's suggestions are excellent. The risk of fracture related to osteoporosis, diagnosed or undiagnosed, is an obvious concern. For this reason I think that resistance exercise (free weights, machines, resistance bands) is perhaps a better option than jumping. Walking uphill is a great suggestion. Just be careful going downhill as the eccentric load on the quads is significant. Another option is walking up and down stairs.

Take care.
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Answered by Karin Singleton 131 days ago
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There is little to add to Janet and Dan. There is always a trade-off between risks and benefits, and as trainers we have to come down on the side of safety even if there would be benefits to the modalities that you are describing. But let something go wrong ..... you would be in violation of the guidelines for older adults with osteoporosis.
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Answered by LaRue Cook 131 days ago
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I agree with the previous three posters (Janet, Daniel and Karin). With an older population you must always be aware of the risk of injury. The key is "weight-bearing" exercise for maintaining or building bone density. Therefore, any weight-bearing exercise will be helpful in this regard.

I always assess the risk of injury with a particular client or group of clients before engaging in any plyometric training, such as jumping, before introducing it to them. In my opinion, if you're dealing with clients with "joint issues and low back problems," why take the risk of exacerbating their problems with jumping - not really necessary.

I hope that this helps.

LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
lecfitness@yahoo.com
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Answered by Jason Martuscello 130 days ago
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Karin hit it on the head - RISK vs. BENEFIT

Build Bone Density vs Sacrificing Joints

Other variables to consider (Age, Musculoskeletal Alignment, Joint Integrity, Body Weight, Lean Mass, etc) but you get the point.

Fuel the Movement,
JM
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Answered by Jon McQueen 127 days ago
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Everyone's on point with this one. To keep my answer short and sweet...Yes, any stress/resistance on the bones will help increase bone density, BUT will jumping benefit the older adult client.

As fitness professionals, it's our job to give our clients, group class members, and whoever else we're helping, proper training perscription and technique. So if you're training an older adult who cannot perform a jump safely and their body isn't prepared for the movement, then do your job and modify the exercise for the individual.
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Answered by Gardy Reglas 115 days ago
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Never a good idea to do jumping exercises with people with joint problems and LBP becuse of compressice forces. Better to do low impact activities and weight training exercises. As fot those with LBP, have them perform a good dose of spinal stabilization exercises.
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Answered by Susan D'Alonzo 52 days ago
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My older clients don't "jump" due to bladder issues, joint issues and potential falling issues.

However, I do make sure we implement weight bearing exercises that are safe and sensible and fit into their training protocol.

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