When you lift weights, your muscles must work harder to move the weight. The muscles are attached to the bones. When the muscles flex, they pull on the bones. The harder the muscles work, the more stress they place on the skeleton. The bones must also withstand the pressure of holding up the weight. This compresses them which adds even more stress.
Bone Cracks
When muscles lift weights they get microscopic tears in the muscle fibers. When these tears heal, the muscles get bigger and stronger. The bones react in a similar way to the lifting of weights. When the muscles pull on the bones and when the bones are compressed by weights, they get very small cracks in the bone structure. This happens on the microscopic level inside the bones. As long as the weight lifting is in moderation, this is not dangerous or painful. People who lift weights are completely unaware that it is happening.
Bone Formation
Lifting weights stimulates bone formation. Within a few days, the body automatically heals the microscopic cracks in the bones caused by lifting weights. When this happens, there is an increase in the density of the bones. They actually get stronger on the insides because more bone has formed there. More massive bones are sturdier bones. This bone formation benefit accumulates over time. The longer a person lifts weights, the stronger their bones will get.
Bone Density
Lifting weights is important to increase bone density in all people. It is especially vital for women since they lose more bone density than men after menopause because of a decrease in estrogen. Lifting weights throughout your life will make your bones stronger in old age. Broken bones are the leading reason elderly people end up in nursing homes. Strong bones enable you to have an active and healthy lifestyle that leads to a longer life. Weak bones will shorten your life expectancy.
Secondary Bone Benefits
Lifting weights also protects your bones in unexpected ways. Weight resistance exercises make muscles stronger and improves balance. That makes it less likely that you will break a bone if you happen to fall down. Strong muscles protect the bones from damage in an impact. Improved balance also makes it less likely that you will fall down in the first place.
Comments
betterbody said
on 2/25/2009 Good details. Thanks.
ilivetoteach said
on 2/9/2009 Very informative article. My mother suffers from osteoporosis which increases my risk. Gold's Gym here I come!
Merriment said
on 2/9/2009 Very important information here!
katearquette said
on 2/6/2009 Awesome! I love hearing other people who have a passion for things like this! Good Job! 5*
missbb said
on 2/4/2009 I recently started working out with weights, so this is good to hear :). Thanks!