Gymnastics does a body good! A report at Scientific American states that gymnasts have higher bone density and muscle density than their peers who participate in low-impact sports or no sports at all.
According to the report, the impact of jumping, tumbling, and running on the body actually helps stimulate bone growth. By getting involved in impact sports before puberty, athletes are actually preventing osteoporosis later in life.
Some of the sports that strengthen bones include:
- Gymnastics
- Soccer
- Track
- Basketball
- Martial Arts
- Field Hockey
- Lacrosse
- And other sports that involve jumping and quick direction changes
Non impact sports such as swimming and biking are still considered healthy, but need to include some additional impact type conditioning for maximum benefits.
Image: Flickr
3 Comments»
Babblz.com
9. June 2007 | 13:43 hJump, Flip, and Run for Stronger Bones…
Sports that involve jumping, running, flipping, and changing directions quickly are good for building muscle and bone density especially in girls….
Katelyn
9. June 2007 | 22:31 hWe’ve been talking about joining Karate classes. I think this is the final push we need. There’s a really neat family gym just a few minutes away that have classes.
Char
9. June 2007 | 23:26 hKatelyn - that is great news! Let me know how the classes go. A few of my daughter’s friends take Tae Kwon Do and really love it.