Exercise Post Stroke to Protect Bone Health
How can you promote good bone health?
Bones maintain their strength through loading. In other words, weight bearing and use of muscles causes bones to “remodel” and adapt their internal structure to become stronger.
Physical activity assists in the improvement of bone mass density (BMD)
How does stroke impact bones?
After a stroke, it is common to experience a period of immobility due to weakness and fatigue, particularly early post stroke. This reduction in mechanical loading through the bones results in less adaptation and so bones become weaker, which can lead to osteoporosis. The longer the time spent immobile, the more bone is lost.
How can physiotherapy help you?
Physiotherapists assist in providing safe and individually tailored exercise programs based on your impairments and function. We help you to participate in physical activity to improve mobility, muscle strength, balance and cardiovascular fitness aimed at increasing bone density and preventing falls. Whether in the clinic, at your home or in the community, we can help find ways to increase your time weight bearing and in turn make your bones stronger.
References:
Borschmann, K 2012, ‘Exercise Protects Bone After Stroke, or Does It? A Narrative Review of the Evidence’, Stroke Research and Treatment, vol. 2012, no. 103697, pp. 1-12.
Huo, K, Hashim, S, Yong, K, Su, H & Qu, Q, 2016, ‘Impact and risk factors of post-stroke bone fracture’, World Journal of Experimental Medicine, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 1-8
Sallehuddin, H, Ong, T, Said, S, Tarmizi, N, Loh, S, Lim, W, Nadarajah, R, Lim, H, Zambri, N, Ho, Y & Ghazali, S 2022, ‘Non-pharmacological interventions for bone health after stroke: A systematic review’, Plos One, vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 1-17