Every year, more than 300,000 adults age 65 or older, are hospitalized with a broken hip in the United States according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Luckily, a new study of 77,000 older women in the U.S. indicates that exercise, even mild exercise, can decrease the risk of hip fracture.
A study begun by the Women’s Health Initiative in the 1990’s surveyed 77,000 women from the ages of 50 to 79 at over 40 medical centers across the U.S. over a period of 14 years. At the beginning of the study, participants reported their typical level of physical activity and other lifestyle factors. On average after 14 years one-third of them women had suffered a bone fracture. When it came specifically to hip fractures, researchers found that participants who had reported a higher level of physical activity were less likely to suffer from a hip fracture compared to those who reported less physical activity.
The study specifically states that women who regularly got moderate to vigorous exercise, such as walking or jogging, had a 12% lower risk for suffering a hip fracture than those who were less physically active. However, the study also indicated that even those women who participated in mild activity, like bowling, golfing, or even slow dancing, were also at a lower risk for hip fracture. Even walking, at any speed, was indicated to reduce the risk of hip fracture. Low-impact activities, while not improving bone density, have been proven to help strength the lower body, and improve balance and agility; all of which can help contribute to a decreased risk of a hip fracture.
A question that still remains unanswered by the study, is whether or not the women who reported being more physically active in their older age had always been physically active throughout their life. Michael LaMonte, a research associate professor at the State University of New York at Buffalo, states that while the study cannot specifically address whether exercise at an older age reduces hip fracture risk; it is well known that “sitting less and moving more” is a key to better overall health. Such as lower blood pressure and diabetes, lower risk of heart disease, and improved mental health.
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