Osteoporosis is the most common bone disease in America, affecting 20 percent of women over 50 years old. According to MedLine Plus, osteoporosis occurs when your body does not absorb enough calcium and phosphate from your diet or if those minerals are reabsorbed back into the body from your bones, leaving your bones brittle and prone to fractures, even without trauma. Diet and exercise choices throughout your life affect your odds of developing osteoporosis as you age. The Evolution Health website says that the rebounder provides the benefits of weight-bearing exercise with a very low level of trauma to the musculoskeletal system. Rebounding may also increase flexibility and balance, which may help prevent falling and further injury.
Basics
Rebounding is a low-impact aerobic workout that involves jumping on a "rebounder" -- a mini-trampoline, approximately 28 inches in diameter. Rebounding uses gravity, acceleration and deceleration to get all parts of the body effectively moving at once. Holistic Health Tools claims that rebounding is up to 68 percent more efficient than simply performing the same movements on a wooden floor. Rebounding builds strength, endurance, balance and flexibility -- all vital for preventing osteoporosis.
Importance of Weight-Bearing Activities
The National Osteoporosis Foundation explains that bone is living tissue and becomes stronger through exercise, just like your muscles do. Weight-bearing activities that make your body work against gravity help build bones and keep them strong. Rebounding is a low-impact weight-bearing exercise that can help maintain bone mass as you age. The majority of bone mass is built during your 20s and 30s. The more bone mass you can accumulate during this time, the less likely you are to develop osteoporosis. Starting an exercise routine that includes activities such as rebounding, as early as possible, decreases your risk of developing osteoporosis later in life.
Balance and Flexibility
The beginning stages of osteoporosis have no symptoms, and many people don't realize they have the disease until after they suffer a fracture. MayoClinic.com recommends physical activities that not only build bone strength, but also improve posture, balance and flexibility, making falls less likely.
Rebounding is a safe and effective way to work on coordination, which may help prevent future accidents. In addition, rebounding may improve the brain's responsiveness to the vestibular apparatus in the inner ear, which helps your balance.
Consult Your Physician
Discuss your situation with your doctor before starting this or any exercise program. You may need a combination of physical therapy, diet modification and medication as part of an overall osteoporosis treatment program. Because genetics, alcohol and nicotine consumption, hormones and medications may contribute to causing osteoporosis, your doctor may have specific recommendations for you.
References
- MedLine Plus: Osteporosis
- Holisitc Health Tools: Rebounding Exercise - Getting a Jump on Great Health and Flexibility
- National Osteoporosis Foundation: Exercise for Healthy Bones
- MayoClinic.com: Osteoporosis Treatment and Drugs
- Evolution Health: Strengthen Your Bones With Rebound Exercise!
- Evolution Health: 42 Ways the Body Responds to Rebounding
