Given the fluidity of cycling movements, I still wouldn't call it high impact. I would say the physiological effect is more like standing around.Animator said:Assuming for a second that decreasing bone density is a real issue for cyclists it would seem to me, from what I have read, that regularly standing while climbing would more or less mitigate the problem. Thoughts?
You still need some sort of impact activity...I'm not saying go out and run 5 miles on your "rest" day, but there's no impact in standing up on the hills...Animator said:Assuming for a second that decreasing bone density is a real issue for cyclists it would seem to me, from what I have read, that regularly standing while climbing would more or less mitigate the problem. Thoughts?
Weight lifting is like the reverse of zero gravity. It would add bone density. But the question is how much.chainstay said:How about weight lifting's impact on bone density? Because one is generally working with much higher force and weight than one is working with on a bicycle ride, does weight lifting therefore stress the bones quite a bit more than cycling and thus help with bone density much more than cycling, or does one actually need to engage in a legitimate, high impact activity like running or jumping to have a positive impact on leg, bone density?
What about bone jarring mountain bike rides? Are cross country or downhill mountain bike racers any less prone to bone density problems than road racers are?
Thanks for the links. There seems to be only one cycling specific study on this topic, and according to the Bicycling article, it is:strader said:http://www.newstarget.com/010528.html
Some abstracts:
http://grande.nal.usda.gov/ibids/index.php?mode2=detail&origin=ibids_references&therow=618501http://www.acsm-msse.org/pt/re/msse/abstract.00005768-199901000-00006.htm;jsessionid=HJlZBvr11z8vz6NYy4bwQLJFv7cRQhHQJJDnpkhCXz3LT4nf4VGL!65375592!181195628!8091!-1
Osteoporosis in Cycling:
http://www.beezodogsplace.com/Pages/Articles/Osteoporosis-Cycling/Osteoporosis-Cycling.html
It would tend to mitigate. No telling which effect is stronger.Animator said:Assuming for a second that decreasing bone density is a real issue for cyclists it would seem to me, from what I have read, that regularly standing while climbing would more or less mitigate the problem. Thoughts?
Here's some more food for thought:Animator said:Now that I've read a little bit more, it seems that my activities off-the-bike pretty much mitigate any concerns about bone density loss. YMMV.
You lift sitting down, do you?chainstay said:It would be funny if I was tested and there was found to be some major discrepancy between my upper body and lower body with regard to bone density.
Well actually I do quite a bit of it standing up, but I am generally working on chest, shoulder, biceps, triceps, lats, abs, lower back and external obliques. I ran and mogul skiied for years, which theoretically should be good for bone density, but I pounded and ground down the cartiliage in my right knee to nothing---now have a bone on bone situation, and the doctor asked me to give up those two sports. Of course having some cartiliage removed previously didn't help the situation either.garage sale GT said:You lift sitting down, do you?
I may be a little confused but I think it is weight bearing exercises that builds bone with or without impact.sogood said:Given the fluidity of cycling movements, I still wouldn't call it high impact. I would say the physiological effect is more like standing around.
It's stresses of all form. Those baby osteoblasts/osteoclasts respond to dynamic stresses. Static weight bearing is just a part of the dynamic stress equation, hence acceleration and deceleration.bushido5 said:I may be a little confused but I think it is weight bearing exercises that builds bone with or without impact.
If the osteoclasts break down bone in order to maintain blood Ph, wouldn't that imply that long climbs may work against bone density? Your blood gets more acidic and stays that way for a longer time, especially if you don't stop to sit down in the grass and rest at the end of the climb.garage sale GT said:You lift sitting down, do you?
What does it, anyway? I think it's the blastocysts trying to keep your blood at the right Ph by taking Ca from your bones, which would imply moderate intensity cycling required no special tactics to retain bone density.
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