Wednesday, February 15, 2012
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Weight-Bearing Exercise: Understanding at Last

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...
Anonymous
Bill
9/24/08 12:34am

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.

9/24/08 7:47am

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

Anonymous
Anonymous
9/27/08 11:44am

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

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