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Its no secret that prioritizing walking in your regular routine can lead to somepretty stellar health benefits.

But does walking improve bone density?

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder in which bones weaken and risk of fracture is increased, she explains.

woman sweating in the gym

director ofOch Spine Care Outpatient Physical Therapy at NewYork-Presbyterian

How does walking help improve bone density?

As the study authors wrote, walking is a rhythmic, dynamic, aerobic activity.

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Woman walking on a treadmill at the gym.

Heres What Experts Say

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Ready to get flowing?

Full body female athlete in sportswear using rowing machine during fitness workout in gym.

Try this 20-minute strength-building yoga routine:

Old-fashioned strength training is another top bone-strengthening activity experts often recommend.

Just be sure your hitting both your lower body and upper body for osteoporosis prevention throughout your entire skeleton.

In resistance training, the pull of the muscles on the bone stimulates the bone to grow.

Happy woman dancing and listening to music near a green empty wall outdoor in the city.

director ofOch Spine Care Outpatient Physical Therapy at NewYork-Presbyterian

Also helpful to know: What doesnt help build bone are totally non-weight-bearing exercises like swimming or cycling.

Something to keep in mind…

Bone mineral density typically peaks by age 30.

Healthy female training in the gym, performing a hip thrust.

The best way to maintain bone mass is a well-rounded exercise program that includes both aerobic and resistance training.

And dont forget that your diet also plays a huge role in bone health.

Be sure your meals regularly includenutrients for bone health, like calcium, vitamin D, and magnesium.

A young black woman doing post-run stretches in the park on the road amidst green grass and trees.

So get your sweat on in different ways on different days; your skeleton will thank you.

Krall, E A, and B Dawson-Hughes.

Walking is related to bone density and rates of bone loss.The American journal of medicinevol.

96,1 (1994): 20-6. doi:10.1016/0002-9343(94)90111-2

Lu, Yi-Hsueh et al.

Twelve-Minute Daily Yoga Regimen Reverses Osteoporotic Bone Loss.Topics in geriatric rehabilitationvol.

32,2 (2016): 81-87. doi:10.1097/TGR.0000000000000085

Lan, Yong-Sheng, and Yu-Juan Feng.

The volume of brisk walking is the key determinant of BMD improvement in premenopausal women.PloS onevol.

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