Exercises That Are Good For Bones, And Bad for Bones

The most interesting thing in Gretchen Reynold's piece in the New York Times Well column about exercises that are good for bones is the revelation that even the experts aren't really sure. In fact, Reynolds writes, scientists actually seem to be becoming less sure. Reynolds tells us that there is some agreement that brisk walking will increase bone density, at least in older women, but the walking "must be truly brisk." The confounding findings, says Reynolds, suggest that too much exercise may actually reduce bone density, as witnessed in a study of competitive cyclists who lost bone density over the course of a long training season. What's bone-building wannabe to do? Reynolds writes that current state-of-the-science message suggest that the best exercise is to "simply jump up and down, for as long as the downstairs neighbor will tolerate."

Read more in the Times' Well column.