Beating Osteoporosis One Pickleball Game at a Time

  • Date: November 15, 2022
  • Time to read: 4 min.

When most people think of pickleball, they think of it as a game for retirees. And while it’s true that the 65+ age group makes up the majority of pickleball players, that doesn’t mean that the game isn’t enjoyed by players of all ages.

Pickleball is a great way to get some exercise, socialize, and have a good time. And best of all, it’s a low-impact sport that is easy on the joints. This makes it an ideal activity for people of all ages, including seniors and those with osteoporosis.

In this article, we talk about how pickleball can help with osteoporosis and what exercises you should avoid if you have osteoporosis.

How Pickleball Can Help Treat Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition that causes bones to become brittle and weak. It’s especially common in older women, and can lead to serious health problems like fractures and disabilities. Pickleball is a great choice for seniors because it’s a low-impact sport that is easy on the joints.

Signs of osteoporosis include pain in the bones and joints, loss of height, back pain, and fractures. If you think you might have osteoporosis, it’s important to see a doctor so that you can get a diagnosis and start treatment.

There is no cure for osteoporosis, but there are treatments that can help slow down the progression, exercise being one of them. Pickleball is a great exercise for people with osteoporosis because it’s low-impact, meaning it won’t put too much stress on your bones and joints.

Other pickleball advantages for those with osteoporosis include:

The social aspect

Playing with others can help improve your mood and mental health, both of which are important for people with osteoporosis.

Improved balance and coordination

Pickleball requires quick movements and good coordination. As you get better at the game, you’ll also find that your balance improves.

Improves wrist strength

One of the most common fractures in people with osteoporosis is a wrist fracture. Because pickleball requires you to hit the ball with a racket, it can help improve the strength in your wrists and forearms, which can help reduce the risk of fractures.

Opportunity to play outdoors

Getting vitamin D from sunlight is important for bone health. Playing pickleball outdoors will give you the chance to get some sun while also getting some exercise.

If you have osteoporosis, pickleball is a great way to stay active and improve your overall health.

Slows age-related bone loss

Aerobic exercise like pickleball has been shown to help slow age-related bone loss which is a risk factor for osteoporosis.

Weight-bearing exercise is especially beneficial because it helps build bone mass. Pickleball is a great weight-bearing exercise because it’s a low-impact sport, meaning it won’t put too much strain on your bones and joints.

However, pickleball elbow is a condition that can occur from playing pickleball too much. It’s important to rest your elbow for a day or two if you start to feel any pain.

What exercises help with osteoporosis

If you have osteoporosis, it’s important to talk to your doctor before starting any new exercise program. They can help you create a safe and effective workout plan that’s tailored to your individual needs.

Besides pickleball, other exercises that can help treat osteoporosis include:

  • Power Walk: Power walk is a type of aerobic exercise that helps increase bone density and slow age-related bone loss.
  • Yoga: Yoga can help improve balance, flexibility, and bone density.
  • Aerobic Dance: Aerobic dance is a great way to get your heart pumping and improve your bone health.
  • Climbing: Climbing is a great weight-bearing exercise that can help improve bone density.

What sports should you avoid when having osteoporosis

While pickleball is a great exercise for people with osteoporosis, there are some sports that you should avoid. These include:

Golf

You would find it funny that golf is on this list, seeing as it’s a sport often associated with seniors. However, golf can actually be quite dangerous for people with osteoporosis. The twisting motions involved in swinging a golf club can put a lot of strain on your spine, which can lead to fractures.

Extreme sports

Sports like skateboarding, snowboarding, and surfing can be dangerous for people with osteoporosis because of the risk of falls and fractures.

This sports are called high impact sports, and they should be avoided if you have osteoporosis.

Weight machines

Weight machines at the gym can put too much strain on your bones and joints, so it’s best to avoid them.

Factors that increase the risk of osteoporosis

There are a number of factors that can increase your risk of developing osteoporosis. These include:

  • Family history: If you have a family member with osteoporosis, you’re more likely to develop the condition yourself.
  • Age: The older you are, the greater your risk of osteoporosis.
  • Gender: Women are more likely to develop osteoporosis than men.
  • Small frame: People with small frames are more likely to develop osteoporosis.
  • Ethnicity: Caucasians and Asians are at a higher risk for osteoporosis.
  • Lifestyle: A sedentary lifestyle can increase your risk of osteoporosis.
  • Smoking: Smoking cigarettes can increase your risk of osteoporosis.
  • Alcohol: Drinking alcohol can also increase your risk of osteoporosis.

If you have any of these risk factors, it’s important to talk to your doctor about ways to prevent or treat osteoporosis.

Conclusion

If you have osteoporosis, pickleball is a great exercise to help slow down the progression of the disease. It’s low-impact, meaning it won’t put too much stress on your bones and joints, and it has many other benefits like improved balance and coordination. Pickleball is also a great way to get some vitamin D from sunlight.

Talk to your doctor before starting any new exercise program, and avoid sports that are dangerous for people with osteoporosis.

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