Build Strong Bones Two Ways

The November issue of Outside magazine has some mildly disturbing advice for athletic men in the coveted 50-year-old bracket. (Geezer knows a few.)  "If you maintain your fitness level solely
through non-impact sports like cycling and swimming," the magazine warns, "you could be at
risk for waking up at age 50 with the bones of a person 20 years older."  The piece reports that a San Diego State University study, published two years ago, measured the bone density of 27 masters cyclists and found that two-thirds of them had, on average, 10 percent more bone-density loss when compared
with the male control group. That’s because low-impact exercise not only does little to strenghten bones, it also burns up calcium, at about 120 milligrams an hour.
What to do? Outside has a two suggestions: Get into some bone building exercises, such as jogging, jumping rope, lifting weights, or best of all, gymnastics. And make sure your get plenty of calcium. That’s at least 1,200 milligrams a day for most recreational athletes, but no more than 2,000 milligrams a day. Read more.