Many different tissues are affected by the aging process, including bone tissue. As people age, they tend to experience a gradual decrease in bone density.
Bone density refers to the amount of minerals (like calcium) that the bone contains. High bone density means that the bone is stronger and less likely to break. Low bone density increases the risk of experiencing a fracture (a broken bone). Reduced bone density is known as osteopenia, while very low bone density is called osteoporosis.
As you age, it’s important to protect your bone density. If you experience a fracture, it can have a permanent impact on your quality of life. About half of all people who experience a hip fracture never get back to their previous level of function. A fracture can even be fatal—about one third of people die within a year after a hip fracture.
To help reduce your likelihood of experiencing a fracture, it’s important to protect your bone density. One way to do this is by doing resistance training. This is the type of exercise that people typically use to build strength—weightlifting, pulling on resistance bands, or doing bodyweight exercises like pushups. Just a small amount of resistance training each week can help to keep your bones strong.