Five minutes of exercise each day may help reduce risk of hip fractures in postmenopausal women
As we age, our bones lose strength, but research at Loughborough University has shown that just five minutes of exercise each day may benefit hip strength in postmenopausal women.
Research conducted at the University’s National Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine asked a group of postmenopausal women to complete up to 50 hops at home each day over the course of six months.
The women hopped on the same leg each day and bone scans were taken before and after the intervention. Over the six months, the bone density increased in the hopping leg compared to a decrease in the non-exercise leg.
“This research demonstrates that in healthy women, a brief home-based exercise that requires no specialist equipment can increase bone density at the hip and potentially reduce the risk of hip fracture.”
In addition to measuring the effect of the exercise on bone density, the team also took MRI scans of the participants’ knee joint to investigate any signs of damage resulting from the exercise.
Chris Hartley, PhD student at the University, said: “We know that many people are concerned about the health of their joints and how safe it is to take part in physical activity, particularly high-impact exercise. We found no detrimental effects of the hopping on several indicators related to knee osteoarthritis.”
The team hopes that the findings will help to promote physical activity in older populations.
“The Royal Osteoporosis Society has recently released guidelines encouraging physical activity and this study adds to that growing body of research,” added Dr Brooke-Wavell.
“Our study was carried out with healthy women aged 55-70 who had no existing injuries and the results demonstrated that high impact exercise is effective in increasing bone mass. Hopping may not be for everyone, however, and we encourage people to consult the guidelines for advice on what is the best exercise to carry out.”
The full results of the study are published in the current issue Journal for Bone and Mineral Research and can be found here
For more information on exercise and physical activity for bone health please visit the Royal Osteoporosis Society website
Notes for editors
Press release reference number: 19/216
Loughborough University is equipped with a live in-house broadcast unit via the Globelynx network. To arrange an interview with one of our experts please contact the press office on 01509 223491. Bookings can be made online via www.globelynx.com
Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.
It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme, named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2019 QS World University Rankings, University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times University Guide 2019 and top in the country for its student experience in the 2018 THE Student Experience Survey.
Loughborough is in the top 10 of every national league table, being ranked 4th in the Guardian University League Table 2020, 5th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019 and 8th in The UK Complete University Guide 2020.
Loughborough is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’ and is in the top 10 in England for research intensity. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, Loughborough has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.
The Loughborough University London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities. It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking.
Loughborough staff, students and alumni make a real difference. They challenge convention, think creatively and find solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing society today and in the future.
Meet the #LboroGameChangers at lboro.ac.uk/lborogamechangers
As we age, our bones lose strength, but research at Loughborough University has shown that just five minutes of exercise each day may benefit hip strength in postmenopausal women.
Research conducted at the University’s National Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine asked a group of postmenopausal women to complete up to 50 hops at home each day over the course of six months.
The women hopped on the same leg each day and bone scans were taken before and after the intervention. Over the six months, the bone density increased in the hopping leg compared to a decrease in the non-exercise leg.
“This research demonstrates that in healthy women, a brief home-based exercise that requires no specialist equipment can increase bone density at the hip and potentially reduce the risk of hip fracture.”
In addition to measuring the effect of the exercise on bone density, the team also took MRI scans of the participants’ knee joint to investigate any signs of damage resulting from the exercise.
Chris Hartley, PhD student at the University, said: “We know that many people are concerned about the health of their joints and how safe it is to take part in physical activity, particularly high-impact exercise. We found no detrimental effects of the hopping on several indicators related to knee osteoarthritis.”
The team hopes that the findings will help to promote physical activity in older populations.
“The Royal Osteoporosis Society has recently released guidelines encouraging physical activity and this study adds to that growing body of research,” added Dr Brooke-Wavell.
“Our study was carried out with healthy women aged 55-70 who had no existing injuries and the results demonstrated that high impact exercise is effective in increasing bone mass. Hopping may not be for everyone, however, and we encourage people to consult the guidelines for advice on what is the best exercise to carry out.”
The full results of the study are published in the current issue Journal for Bone and Mineral Research and can be found here
For more information on exercise and physical activity for bone health please visit the Royal Osteoporosis Society website
Notes for editors
Press release reference number: 19/216
Loughborough University is equipped with a live in-house broadcast unit via the Globelynx network. To arrange an interview with one of our experts please contact the press office on 01509 223491. Bookings can be made online via www.globelynx.com
Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.
It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme, named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2019 QS World University Rankings, University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times University Guide 2019 and top in the country for its student experience in the 2018 THE Student Experience Survey.
Loughborough is in the top 10 of every national league table, being ranked 4th in the Guardian University League Table 2020, 5th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019 and 8th in The UK Complete University Guide 2020.
Loughborough is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’ and is in the top 10 in England for research intensity. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, Loughborough has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.
The Loughborough University London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities. It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking.
Loughborough staff, students and alumni make a real difference. They challenge convention, think creatively and find solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing society today and in the future.
Meet the #LboroGameChangers at lboro.ac.uk/lborogamechangers
