September 2002

Study Finds Running May Prevent Osteoporosis in Women

An article, “Bone Density in Female Runners,” that is scheduled to appear in Runner’s World magazine reveals that running can be beneficial in the fight against osteoporosis. The author of the article, Dr. James McHale, director of the Atlantic Regional Osteoporosis Specialists, tested and surveyed 192 female runners to evaluate running as a form of weight-bearing exercise and how it relates to osteoporosis.

Study participants were grouped according to ages (ranging from 15 to 63) and miles run per week (ranging from three to 70). Survey questions also addressed calcium supplementation regimens and knee-ankle-foot injuries/conditions.

A vast majority of study participants, 177 out of 192 (92%), tested at or above the normal bone mineral density values. Only 8% tested in the range of osteopenia, or early stage bone loss and thinning, with 60% of these being in the 51 to 63 age group. Study participants were 3.6 times more likely to suffer from knee pain than to suffer from osteopenia or osteoporosis.

Only 39% of participants reported taking calcium on a regular basis.

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