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Monday, November, 23, 2009
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Weight-Bearing Exercise: Understanding at Last

PJ Hamel
PJ Hamel
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PJ Hamel is an osteoporosis don't-wannabe!
Writer, author, baker, daughter, mom, wife, friend

I'm a nationally noted food writer and author, with three...

PJ Hamel

Sunday, September 21, 2008
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Weight-bearing exercise is the type of exercise you’re supposed to do to boost bone density, a standard goal for those of us experiencing a loss of bone density/strength due to age, menopause, or drugs.   But it can be confusing trying to sort out which exercises are weight-bearing; whic...
  1. Arthritic knees and hydrotherapy
    Bill
    Wednesday, September 24, 2008 at 12:34 AM

    I have been going to physical therapy for the past six weeks as perscribed by my physician, a knee replacement specialist.  The pool is usually at 93 degrees and I do specific exercises in the pool for anywhere between thirty and forty-five minutes, followed by specific excercises in a gym setting.  They consist of leg lifts with three pound weights on my ankels, leg presses at 80 lbs./20 reps with a brief rest in between, 15 minutes on a stationary bike (I do not stand up) with low resistance at two levels, and various excercises with a ball. 

         I was not very confident that this would help at first, but after several sessions I am a believer in hydrotherapy.  My knees haven't been this pain free in a long time and I actually enjoy bowling in our senior traveling league again!  The only pain I have is climbing and decending long flights of stairs or a steep hill.  My fast pitch softball days as a catcher however, are over after 41 consecutive years.  Perhaps, a designated hitter with a pinch runner?  So, the pool does help, provided one is shown what excercises are proper ones and under proper supervision.

    Reply
    re: Arthritic knees and hydrotherapy
    PJ Hamel
    Wednesday, September 24, 2008 at 07:47 AM

    Thanks, Bill, I'm so glad to hear the pool (and the various exercises) are helping your knees. We're NEVER too old to work out and feel better, right? Now, as for softball - uh, catcher is probably the worst position you could have, with your knees... so how about a stint in right field? Then DH with a pinch runner, as you said. Maybe switch to slo-pitch? (Though I know that can be just as wild and woolly...) Thanks again for connecting- PJH

    Reply
  2. Untitled Comment
    Anonymous
    Saturday, September 27, 2008 at 11:44 AM

    very interesting! I've wondered the same thing and the article helped. K Thompson

    Reply
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