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Dear Reader,
Improvement in muscle strength is a key factor in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. To ensure that muscle training is used appropriately for both the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, practitioners must be familiar with current thinking on diagnosis and treatment. That’s why we have produced the Kieser Training Guidelines on the use of our Preventive Strength Training and Medical Strengthening Therapy for osteoporosis. They reflect current guidance and are designed to provide this knowledge in a compact format. Ask your facility to provide you with a copy for your doctor.
Werner Kieser
26 pages packed with up-to-date information on diagnosis and treatment of osteoprosis
Osteoporosis – A growing public health problem
Osteoporosis is a disease of the skeletal system and is one of the main causes of pain and physical disability in the modern world. With an ageing population, the number of patients developing osteoporosis is likely to double in the next 20 years.
A new report issued by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) for World Osteoporosis Day on 20 October 2010 puts the spotlight on the severe impact of spinal fractures and calls on health professionals to recognize the signs of these fractures in their patients. “The widespread under-diagnosis and lack of treatment of spinal fractures, leaves millions of people around the world with chronic pain, deformity, disability and at high risk of future fractures,” says Professor John Kanis, President of the IOF.
20-25% of Caucasian women and men over 50 years have a prevalent vertebral fracture. One in five women with a vertebral fracture will sustain another one within twelve months – the fracture cascade. Although many spinal fractures cause pain and disability, they are often ignored or treated as simple back pain.
The repercussions of these common fractures can be severe, resulting in stooped back, acute and chronic back pain, loss of height, immobility, depression, increased number of bed days, reduced pulmonary function and even premature death. Globally, spinal fractures represent a huge socio- economic burden.
Causes
Healthy adult bone consists of living material. It has a highly structured framework (bone matrix) permeated by large amounts of calcium, organic material and numerous special cells, which continuously transform the bone matrix. Bone density is reduced if this process is not in equilibrium, i.e. if the catabolic state is dominant and the bone mass in negative balance. Osteoporosis is said to exist when the reduction in bone density reaches a critical level. It is important to remember that bone density does not stay the same throughout life. It is at its maximum at about 30 years of age. For those younger than 30, bone formation depends primarily on dietary factors and physical exercise. Men normally achieve a higher bone density because they weigh more and have more muscle mass. Inactivity or nutritional deficiencies in early life are decisive in determining whether we develop osteoporosis in later life. During our middle years, bone density is relatively stable and strongly influenced by hormonal factors. With the onset of the menopause, women experience a significant reduction in bone mass, which can be as much as 4% per year. In other words, in the 10 years following the menopause, female bone density may decline by as much as 40%. Because testosterone levels in men decline more slowly, their reduction in bone mass is much less during this phase of life.
Treatment
Effective drug therapies can reduce new vertebral fractures by 30% to 70% in postmenopausal women. Similar efficacy is observed in men. These treatments should be taken with adequate supplementation with vitamin D and calcium.
But as the case of Margaret Clark illustrates (see story on back page), strength training is being recognised more and more as a highly effective preventive and therapeutic measure against osteoporosis. On the one hand, numerous studies have shown that strengthening the muscles also strengthens the bones. On the other, a fully functional musculoskeletal system prevents falls that so often lead to a first fracture that will keep the patients bed-ridden, making them yet weaker and another fall and fracture more likely once back on their feet – setting off the vicious circle of deconditioning.
Kieser Training …
… and with it strength for two
Dr. Gerold Manner
What could be nicer than spending time in the blissful company of one’s beloved? Pity, that all too often something gets in the way – whether it’s work that simply refuses to be banished from our thoughts or that tiredness that creeps up on us all too quickly. No wonder that thousands of advice columns are devoted solely to maintaining a happy relationship. It would appear that there’s no simple solution – or is there?
“At long last I can give my wife that special attention.”
These were the words of Dr. Gerold Manner, aged 71 responding to the question why he came to Kieser Training. Strength training for your relationship? Admittedly, at first glance that sounds somewhat bizarre. On the other hand, a relationship is sometimes a feat of strength and if you are properly equipped, you can literally give your other half that extra something.
In addition, the better you feel, the more relaxed you can be with your partner. If you feel good, strong and healthy, you can go through life with your head held high – something that was evident from the results of the study “Kieser Training works”. More than half of participants, who did six months of Kieser Training, found that they were better at coping with stress. About two thirds were more relaxed in their daily life (see Latest Research on Page 3). They were not dragged down as much by minor arguments or stress. If you are happy and satisfied with yourself as a person, then you can once again start to enjoy fully those shared moments.
