| Maintaining bone density and bone health should be an | | | | Snow, director of the Bone Research Laboratory at |
| important concern for postmenopausal women. One | | | | OSU. "Exercise was as good or better than either |
| natural alternative to estrogen and other supplements | | | | estrogen or Fosamax for preventing bone loss." |
| for women seeking to prevent bone loss after | | | | Barbara Black, a Corvallis resident, was 74 years old |
| menopause is to exercise using a weight vest. | | | | when she began the study and has stayed with it |
| Resistance exercises, including squats, lunges, | | | | ever since. "Before I started the program, my bone |
| stepping up and down, and getting in and out of a | | | | density was below average," Black said. "And, at my |
| chair while wearing a weighted vest, have been show | | | | age, I certainly expected to be losing more. To |
| to prevent bone loss and maintain bone health in | | | | actually gain bone is really fantastic. It's been a great |
| postmenopausal women. | | | | motivation. I think you need to keep moving as you |
| A five-year study conducted at Oregon State | | | | age, otherwise you won't be able to. You don't have |
| University has shown that women can prevent, and | | | | to go downhill," she added with a giggle. "This shows |
| some cases increase, bone density post menopause. | | | | you can go uphill, too." |
| The women in the study performed low impact | | | | Weight vests themselves have become more |
| versions of plyometric exercises while wearing a | | | | advanced over the years as well. Today’s quality |
| weighted vest. The results showed that the exercise | | | | weight vests will not only help with bone loss |
| group was able to prevent bone loss in the hip | | | | prevention and maintaining bone health, they are also |
| compared to the control group. | | | | slim, comfortable, fully adjustable and stylish. This |
| In one area of the hip, the femoral neck, the | | | | weight vest is likely the best you will find for the |
| exercise group actually increased bone density by 1.5 | | | | money. It is stylish and you will love it. The company |
| percent compared to a 4.4 percent loss in the control | | | | also makes a number of unique training devices such |
| group. This is significant because more than 50 | | | | as Sandbells. Although these weight vests are |
| percent of all bone fractures in the U.S. occur in the | | | | marketed toward extreme athletes, creative women |
| femoral neck of the hip. "After five years, though, | | | | who are looking to prevent bone loss and maintain |
| the improvement was significant," said Christine | | | | bone health can benefit greatly as well. |