I had a repeat DEXA scan recently to measure my bone density and was thrilled to hear that I had an 8% improvement in my hip from over a year ago. While not a large number, it translates into a disproportionate increase in bone strength - my doctor estimated closer to 60%. This is largely attributable to the medication Forteo, but other factors include adding in some weight bearing exercise, an extended period of rest from competitive cycling, and still being young enough that bone formation outpaces its rate of degeneration.
It seems that bone loss in cyclists is finally getting some of concern from the media that it deserves. Unfortunately there are a lot of commonalities that cyclists share that put them at an increased risk for osteoporosis. The lifestyle of an endurance athlete is hard on the body and its easy to neglect other aspects of being a healthy well-rounded athlete while pursuing specific goals. I'm optimistic that its possible to reverse the bone loss, especially at a young age, but I hope, for the sake of others, it becomes more closely monitored in the sport. If caught in time, its not hard to begin taking the right steps. Drinking more milk may not be the answer, but taking in enough calcium to offset the amount lost in sweat is a good start.
Here are some articles in the media:
http://articles.latimes.com/2009/feb/16/health/he-cycling16
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/01/is-bicycling-bad-for-your-bones/
http://velonews.competitor.com/2009/10/coaches-panel/a-sports-nutritionist-looks-at-the-problem-of-low-bone-density-in-cyclists-and-what-they-can-do-about-it_99433
And a study on cyclists and bone loss:
http://blog.trainingpeaks.com/2011/01/university-of-colorado-at-colorado-springs-research-study-on-cyclists%E2%80%99-bone-health.html
It seems that bone loss in cyclists is finally getting some of concern from the media that it deserves. Unfortunately there are a lot of commonalities that cyclists share that put them at an increased risk for osteoporosis. The lifestyle of an endurance athlete is hard on the body and its easy to neglect other aspects of being a healthy well-rounded athlete while pursuing specific goals. I'm optimistic that its possible to reverse the bone loss, especially at a young age, but I hope, for the sake of others, it becomes more closely monitored in the sport. If caught in time, its not hard to begin taking the right steps. Drinking more milk may not be the answer, but taking in enough calcium to offset the amount lost in sweat is a good start.
Here are some articles in the media:
http://articles.latimes.com/2009/feb/16/health/he-cycling16
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/01/is-bicycling-bad-for-your-bones/
http://velonews.competitor.com/2009/10/coaches-panel/a-sports-nutritionist-looks-at-the-problem-of-low-bone-density-in-cyclists-and-what-they-can-do-about-it_99433
And a study on cyclists and bone loss:
http://blog.trainingpeaks.com/2011/01/university-of-colorado-at-colorado-springs-research-study-on-cyclists%E2%80%99-bone-health.html
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