Physical activity reduces the risk of fracture during menopause

Practicing regular physical activity and limiting sedentary lifestyle are particularly important during menopause, a period of fragile bones that lose their density. A new study confirms that physical activity as a whole has an influence on the bone health of women at menopause because it can prevent the risk of fracture.





The symptoms of menopause are variously associated with mood disorders and hot flashes because of the associated estrogen deficiency. But the women concerned are also exposed to a risk of potentially serious pathologies that can occur due to hormonal changes and aging. Among them, osteoporotic fractures  : Osteoporosis is a pathology two to three times more common in menopausal women than men of the same age. "In the absence of estrogen, the loss of bone tissue accelerates. Among women who are 50 years old today, one in three or four will have a fragility fracture by the end of their life, "says Inserm.




Healthy eating, stopping smoking and regular physical activity are essential  after menopause to reduce cardiovascular risk, weight gain and osteoporosis. A new study published by researchers at the University of Buffalo shows how active living is effective in preventing fractures , including hip fractures . Published in the journal JAMA Network Open , this study is presented as the most comprehensive assessment of the relationship between physical activity and fracture incidence in older women. This is based on the participation of 77,000 women followed for 14 years, 33% of whom reported having suffered at least one fracture.

Housework also matters

The researchers found that women who reported a greater frequency of physical activity , at least 35 minutes a day as well in a recreational setting (walking, cycling ...) or domestic (household, gardening ...) had a lower risk of hip fracture of 18% and a total fracture risk of 6%. This study is one of several, all based on the same cohort of women called "Women's Health Initiative," published by researchers at the University of Buffalo in recent years that highlight the health benefits of dementia. an active lifestyle, even at levels below current physical activity guidelines.

"These results show that fracture reduction is one of the many positive attributes of regular physical activity in older women ," says Pr Jean Wactawski-Wende, co-author of the study. "Fractures are very common in postmenopausal women and are associated with loss of independence, physical limitations and increased mortality. According to the researchers, approximately 1.5 million fractures occur each year in American women, accounting for $ 12.7 billion in health care costs. About 14% of these fractures are at the hip and the mortality after a hip fracture is 20%.

"Sit less, move more"

"Modest physical activity , including walking, can significantly reduce the risk of fracture, which can reduce the risk of death," says Wactawski-Wende. Physical activity other than hobbies, such as housework (sweeping and folding clothes, for example), was also helpful in preventing many types of fractures. The researchers believe that their findings have important public health implications, as these lighter-intensity activities are common among older people . "The main message is: Sit less, move more and every movement counts," they conclude.

Note that according to the Health Insurance, brisk walking is excellent for the prevention of osteoporosis three to four times a week over a period of 30 to 45 minutes. To move more, it is also possible to change your daily habits: prefer the stairs to the escalator or the elevator, make small trips on foot rather than by car or public transport, walk on foot during his free time and try to have a physical activity every day. "This is the case when you maintain your home (cleaning, gardening ...)," she confirms. Without forgetting to be followed regularly by his doctor.