How Does Swimming Hurt Bone Density?

Exercise and Bone Density

The loss of bone density over time is a major concern for many, especially since it can increase the likelihood of breaking bones as one ages. A link between exercise and bone density has been found, showing that some types of exercise can not only prevent the loss of bone density but can actually help to increase the density of bones over time if density loss has already begun. Unfortunately, many individuals don't realize that only specific types of exercise have this effect; swimming, a popular form of exercise among older people because of its low-impact nature, is not one of these.

Requirements for Bone Density Increase

The reason that swimming doesn't work to stabilize or increase bone density is because weight-bearing exercise is needed to reverse the process of bones becoming less dense. Exercise that bears the weight of the body and simulates the impacts that bones undergo through normal use help promote bone density. This lets the body strengthen itself against the increased pressure that it is under. Because swimming removes most of the weight from the body and has very little impact, the body won't be prompted by swimming to retain the density of its bones.

Preventing Bone Density Loss

The best way to prevent bone density loss is to make sure that you eat a balanced diet complete with calcium, and have a regular workout schedule that includes weight-bearing exercise. This doesn't mean that you have to cut out swimming completely, of course; by swimming you will build muscular strength, which can also add a bit of protection to your bones. This muscular strength won't keep bones from becoming brittle if they begin to lose density, however, so swimming can't be the only exercise that you get if you want to maintain a healthy bone density.