By Robert Preidt
THURSDAY, July 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Certain types of exercise improve bone health in middle-aged men with low bone mass and may lower their risk for osteoporosis, according to a small new study.
Men naturally lose bone mass as they age, which can put them at risk for osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones and makes them more likely to break. About 16 million American men have low bone mass, and nearly 2 million have osteoporosis.
The new study included 38 healthy, physically active middle-aged men with low bone mass who followed a weight-lifting or jumping program for a year. In both exercise regimens, the men did 60 to 120 minutes of targeted workouts a week.
The men also took calcium and vitamin D supplements. Their bone health was assessed at the start of the study and again at six and 12 months.