MitchellH

Recent article in the NYT.

In 2006, Aaron Smathers, then 29, was a graduate student in the Department of Health and Exercise Science at the University of Oklahoma, gathering data for a study of brittle bones in cyclists. One of his subjects was himself, since he’s been a bike racer for years. A recent scan had revealed that his bones were less dense than usual for a man his age. Not long after those results came in, he crashed during a race, snapping his collarbone. Six weeks later, in his first post-injury race, he was engulfed by a multi-rider pile-up, crashed again, and re-broke his collarbone. Worse, he fractured his hip so badly that the ball of the ball-and-socket joint broke off. “Later I thought, well, this reinforces my study,” he says.

grahny

Cycling is a non-load bearing activity, so yeah, if it's all you do and nothing else, your bones could lose some density. But seriously, hitting the ground at 40mph in your underwear has potential to break just about anything. These types of studies are ridiculous IMO.... Next thing they'll be saying is that we need cut-outs in our saddles... oh wait

late

Here's the problem. I see kids on crutches a lot. I don't know why. I suspect it's because kids don't get to run around the neighborhood and roughouse like we used to.

In any case, I think the problem is widespread.

I suspect the cure is easy. I'd be willing to bet we are simply washing calcium out
with all the water we take in; and not replacing it.

But if you want to play it safe, in addition to supplemementing minerals (it's not just calcium) you might want to do some weight bearing exercise. I used to love hiking, and think it's wonderful. But if you want it fast, you can get 'er done with a couple hours a week in the gym. An hour for the waist up, and an hour for the legs and back.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...condition=used

You don't even need to hit the gym in the summer, just start in the Fall, and continue during the winter.
You'll like the way you look, I guarantee it.

fauxto nick

Not as bad for you as the mass media and over zealous college students trying to write an interesting thesis.

mayukawa

Nothing new there, your body just adjusts to the low-loading conditions. NASA studies on astronauts in low-g conditions have known this for a long time. The usual "use it or lose it" applies.

scotch

patentcad

Those are the breaks.

patentcad

OK, that was my last wise crack for this thread.

patentcad

Because if I continue, it would cast me in a bad light.

patentcad

Alright, I've overdone it, time for me to splint.

patentcad

Where's my rim shot Grumpy?

sibaudio

funny, when i went from running to cycling it made my bones feel infinitely better. when i was running i was constantly developing new recurring problems/pains... and this was when i was 18/19 years old.

actually.. riding bikes is what strengthened my knee to better than ever before after i had multiple fractures throughout my tibia plateau last summer. walking around was just painful and uncomfortable but i could ride a bike like it was nothing.

I'm pretty sure that commuting on my fixed gear helped too.. because as soon as i started doing 150 miles a week commuting on the fixed.. the stiffness in the tendon behind my knee, which was the last real sign that i had an injury, went away. I feel that the back pedalling worked some muscles that weren't usually worked to that level in any other way.

maybe it's just me. but regardless, this dude is still r3333t@@@rD33Dd

CyLowe97

Go for a jog or do some jumping jacks.

Problem solved.

ridethecliche

You haven't lost your touch. Those puns were actually mildly amusing.

GJ pcad.

mrbUSA

May I?

rooftest

Hmmm... he broke his collarbone and, after giving it six whole weeks to recover, broke it again in a serious crash? Now that's science!

chipcom 

On a related note:

Vegetarian diet 'weakens bones'

noisebeam

Better stop eating vegetarians.

Kojak

Cycling is really bad for your bones if you crash. My femoral neck certainly didn't like it much.

Dantebfd

Mildly humerus.

chipcom 

Not today boss.

NYJayhawk

I imagine it isn't any worse on your bones than sitting on the couch eating nachos.

Keep in mind that the study was done on competitive racers who spend a LOT more time on the bike (and a lot LESS time doing other things) than most people. We've all heard the adage that when not riding, pros need to be sitting down to rest...unless it's possible to lie down, in which case they should do so.

If that's your lifestyle, it's not suprising that you'd have some odd health anomolies.

When you run, you stress your bones, and that generally causes them to strengthen themselves. At the same time, running is tough on your joints. Cycling is easy on your joints, but doesn't help with bone denisty.

Kojak

"When you run, you stress your bones, and that generally causes them to strengthen themselves."

So, run to the fridge for some ice cream.... calcium and bone stressing all in one quick moment.

grahny

Cyclocross FTW

Hida Yanra

win!