Exercise and bone density

[sr71blackbird]

Bone Modelling/Wolff's Law

Dr Steve,
Recently I became aware of a theory called Wolff's Law where bone is subjected to stress and the archetecture of the bone's structure is shattered and grows back thicker and thicker with reoeated stress to this archetecture. The bone becomes more and more durable over time. Martial artists use this to toughen up their bones so they can deliver blows that would break a regular persons bone. I wonder if this process goes on thoughout life and if I am 45 and start to subject myself to this stress if it will produce that result or is it something that younger, growing bone would benefit from?
Thanks.

[Dr Steve]

Bone Modelling/Wolff's Law

Dr Steve,
Recently I became aware of a theory called Wolff's Law where bone is subjected to stress and the archetecture of the bone's structure is shattered and grows back thicker and thicker with reoeated stress to this archetecture. The bone becomes more and more durable over time. Martial artists use this to toughen up their bones so they can deliver blows that would break a regular persons bone. I wonder if this process goes on thoughout life and if I am 45 and start to subject myself to this stress if it will produce that result or is it something that younger, growing bone would benefit from?
Thanks.

Bone remodels itself constantly. Osteoblasts make bone, Osteoclasts remove bone, it's a constant battle that keeps bone a "living" tissue. If you tweak the balance a little toward the osteoclasts you get osteoporosis (hypodense, brittle bone). Tweak it a little the other way, you get Osteopetrosis (dense, brittle bone). So the balance is essential to maintain over time. Apply a little stress, and the osteoblasts gain the advantage perpendicular to the stress and bone builds up in that direction, strengthening it as if you put a column in the middle of a covered porch to hold the roof up.

So it's important for bone health to remain active throughout your whole life. Even the astronauts experience this. Six months in space without exercise and their bone density drops significantly.

does that answer your question?


steve