Exercise and Musculoskeletal Health: Preserving Bone and Muscle Function Through Resistance Training

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As the global population ages, age-related conditions like osteoporosis and sarcopenia have become increasingly prevalent and impactful. Osteoporosis, defined by decreased bone density and increased fracture risk, and sarcopenia, characterized by progressive loss of muscle mass and strength, often coexist in elderly individuals. This overlap has led to the emergence of a clinical condition known as osteosarcopenia, which presents a compounded risk for falls, fractures, and long-term disability. Since both conditions share overlapping causes, such as hormonal changes, mechanical unloading, poor nutrition, and inactivity, addressing them together is not only logical but necessary. One of the most effective and accessible strategies for this is resistance exercise (RE), a targeted form of physical activity that engages both muscle and bone simultaneously, triggering biological adaptations that can help preserve strength, function, and skeletal integrity.

Photo by Edgar Chaparro on Unsplash

To understand the benefits of resistance training, it’s crucial to explore the underlying biology of muscle and bone. Skeletal muscle is composed of long fibers…