Which type of exercise is recommended for osteoporosis prevention?

• A. Cardiovascular exercise
• B. Weight lifting only
• C. Weight bearing exercise
• D. Swimming exclusively

Answer: (C)

The recommended type of exercise for osteoporosis prevention is weight-bearing exercise. These exercises involve activities that force you to work against gravity while standing upright. This type of exercise is crucial for maintaining bone density and stimulating bone growth because it engages the muscles that pull on bones, leading to increased bone strength.

Weight-bearing exercises include activities such as walking, jogging, dancing, and climbing stairs. The mechanical load generated during these activities encourages bone remodeling and adaptation, making them effective in both preventing and treating osteoporosis.

In contrast, while cardiovascular exercise is beneficial for overall health, it typically does not provide the same bone-strengthening benefits that weight-bearing exercises do. Weight lifting, while beneficial for building muscle strength, may not fully benefit bone density if not performed in a weight-bearing context. Swimming, although excellent for cardiovascular fitness, is not considered weight-bearing since the buoyancy of water reduces the load on bones. Hence, it lacks the essential impact required for optimizing bone health.