Client with Osteoporosis
I’ve had a client (early 60’s) in my cardio and small group weight training class for a little more than 7 years. Once a week cardio. Once a week in my small group training, which is mostly bodyweight / TRX (not heavy lifting). She is height weight proportionate, but on the slender side of that. Gets almost 20,000 steps a day as she walks her dog and trains it for sport. I would consider her very active and strong at bodyweight movement.
Recently diagonsed with osteoporosis. She didn’t tell me her number, but she was shocked. I’m a little shocked, too.
I just attended a class on working with aging clients. The course materials didn’t really fit didn’t really fit this client, they were more for the non-exerciser just getting started with very light load. She’s active, and she’s been weight training. The advice I did like, and will ensure that I’m implementing every class, is to ensure that I’m working all around her hip for stability and strength.
I see her again on Monday in small-group. My instinct is to get her bone density info so I know a basic idea of her extent, get a doctor’s clearance before changing anything we’re doing, but propose lifting external loads more frequently and bodyweight training less frequently.
I would be grateful for any additional ideas.
I agree with you, Karin and Natalie. I don’t want to treat her with kid gloves. At the same time, I don’t want to suggest anything that might cause her harm.
She’s in a running club every Wednesday, so she’s tolerated impact for years.
You’re probably onto something, Natalie, regarding her rest. She’s super Type-A, and only rests when she sleeps. When we were talking about it in small group this morning, one of my other clients (a doctor) said that she needs more restorative, parasympathetic activity. She’s going to move her running group to a different day so she can come to my restorative yoga.
I’m still learning, and reading, and will keep doing so. It’s been a learning experience. My morning group that has been with me for years is mostly clients 55-73. Fit baby boomers. They dance hard, they lift hard. They’re how I want to live in my 60’s (I’m almost 50).