Kids' Exercise Leads to Strong Bones Later

There are few things in life that exercise can’t help promote. From weight loss, to more energy, to how well you sleep each night, regular movement helps get your body in shape. On the inside and the out. According to a new study, however, this proven theory is taken one step further. By looking at how kids move vs. their older counterparts, researchers have found that regular exercise among children will lead to stronger bones in adults. 

It even shows that adults who exercise can increase their bones’ current health. Whether starting young or old, exercise is a simple (and healthy) way to better add mass and strength to your bones.

Why Bones Can Strengthen Over Time

Like any body part, the more you use it, the more defined and developed it will become. Just as muscles grow from lifting weights, bones will harden from impact from walking, running, and more. The more often you work these body parts, the more they’re able to grow into stronger versions of themselves.

This can also be attributed to blood flow. As one gets the heart pumping, blood moves more quickly through the veins. With this increase in pace, more nutrients can reach extremities in a shorter amount of time, increasing their ability to absorb much-needed vitamins. 

Kids and Bone Health

As for the importance of exercise in kids, the results speak for themselves. Because so much groundwork is set during one’s younger years, the stronger and more efficiently their bones can grow, the more likely they’ll last. Think of a building’s foundation – a cement wall is going to last longer than one made of brick or plywood, while cracks and shifts can weaken even the thickest of walls. But by making sure the walls are as sturdy as possible from the get-go, however, damage can be kept at bay. [Philly]

No matter your age, regular exercise can do wonders for your bone health. Remember to get moving to help keep bones strong. 

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3 Ways to Increase your Bone Density

Strong bones are one of the most important parts to a healthy lifestyle. And our teachers have been telling us bout it for years. Through encouraging us to drink our milk and eat all our lunches, they’ve reminded just what the right substances can do for our bones. But now that it’s later in life, those same values haven’t changed –there just isn’t someone reminding us about it each afternoon.

To make the most of your existing bone density – and to increase that level – follow these easy steps. Just by adjusting daily habits, you can work toward stronger bones on the inside out.

1. Take in More Calcium

This one is obvious. But without calcium, bones can’t build or repair themselves. Be sure to take in a steady level of calcium each day to achieve maximum results. And if you’re not a big fan of milk, look to dairy products or alternative foods instead.

2. Pair it with Vitamin D

Another important substance is vitamin D, which allows the body to absorb ample amounts of calcium. Contrary to popular belief, you can’t get this by spending a day in the sun (though that helps the body absorb the vitamin). Be sure to look for foods or supplements with vitamin D to increase your levels on a daily basis.

3. Get Moving

Believe it or not, bone density is directly reflected by the amount of movement and impact on the bones. By running, walking, and stretching as a routine, you can increase bone density through movement alone. Look to specific exercises that target different bones, or try all-over work outs to strengthen the body as a whole.

Whether you’re the victim of a bad bone density test or are just needing to bulk up your bones, look to the above for easy, yet effective, strengthening methods.

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