Researcher pens exercise guidelines for bones

People with osteoporosis, and those at risk of developing it, can prevent bone loss, fractures and falls by combining specific types of exercises, says new recommendations that Osteoporosis Canada released on June 23.

The group unveiled Too Fit to Fracture: exercise recommendations for individuals with osteoporosis or osteoporotic vertebral fracture at the Canadian Physiotherapy Association’s (CPA’s) Annual General Meeting. It focuses on multicomponent exercise programs that combine muscle strengthening and balance training.

Professor Lora Giangregorio from the University of Waterloo developed the recommendations with an international group of experts. They recommend that aerobic physical activity should be combined with balance and strength training.

“Strength training exercises are key to maintaining strong bones and increasing muscle strength,” says Professor Giangregorio. “There is clear evidence that performing challenging balance exercises can reduce falls, especially if performed most days of the week. We propose a shift away from aerobic-only exercise regimes to those that emphasize strength training and balance training in addition to aerobic training, to achieve the greatest health benefits.”

Falls remain the leading cause of hip fractures among older adults, causing 63 to 83 per cent of hip and non-vertebral fractures and about 45 per cent of vertebral fractures.

"With the release of this work, Osteoporosis Canada is providing clear recommendations, informed by the best available evidence, regarding the most effective exercises to help reduce the risk of falls and osteoporotic fractures," states Dr. Famida Jiwa, President and CEO Osteoporosis Canada.

Individuals with osteoporosis can learn how to move safely. Individuals at high risk of fracture should consider consulting a physical therapist with expertise in osteoporosis in order to design and execute an exercise program that reduces the risk of fracture.

"Osteoporosis Canada’s new recommendations will help physiotherapists and physical therapists design exercise programs that can help reduce the risk of fracture,” says Helen Johnson, chair, CPA Senior’s Health Division. “Many Canadians with osteoporosis avoid exercise because they are afraid of falling. Knowing that programs have been designed with these guidelines in mind will also help individuals remove barriers to exercise."

The new recommendations include expert opinions on how to move safely during every day activities, to avoid the risk of falls or spine fractures. Changes in posture, combined with changes in bone strength, can increase the risk of spine fracture. Poor alignment can be improved with exercises that target muscles important for posture.

 

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Waterloo, Siemens Canada partner on training

This article was originally published in the Eng-E-News newsletter.

Siemens Canada Ltd. and the University of Waterloo will partner on a new youth training and skills development initiative to expand Canada’s capacity and research excellence in advanced manufacturing.

The partnership will address the challenges facing the global economy including digital manufacturing – challenges to which Siemens’ expertise and product portfolio are ideally and uniquely suited.

Representatives from Siemens visited Waterloo’s campus on June 9 to sign a memorandum of understanding that lays out how the company and the university can assist one another.

The partnership will offer selected second-year mechatronics engineering students paid tuition while they complete their degree, as well as immersive co-op experiences and full-time employment.

“This is a unique pathway for global work experience in a leading international technology company. It will positively impact Canada’s competitive advantage,” said Pearl Sullivan, dean of the Faculty of Engineering.

Siemens is a major employer in Canada that provides highly skilled jobs in four major sectors: industry, energy, healthcare, and infrastructure and cities.

 

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Campus Walk 2014 results announced

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Steering Committee has announced the results of the 2014 Campus Wellness Walk, held from May 20 to June 13.

This year's walk boasted 76 teams and 23 individual walkers for a total of 367 participants. All told, participants walked 54,444.5 kilometers, an increase of 12,868.1 km over last year's total.

So, how far is 54,444.5 km? Well, the circumference of Earth as measured at the equator is 40,075 km. Not too shabby, folks.

The winning team in terms of total distance walked was the WALKSTARS, with 2211.5 kilometres logged.

Team members included:

• Vivienne Ballantyne
•  Nancy Pariag
• Pat Coutsos  
• Kelly Wilker-Draves  
• Pam Fluttert  
• MaryJane Thomas
• Laura Pfanner  
• Stacey J Mahoney
• Angela Googh
• Adam Wlad  

The top individual walker not part of a team was Kelley Moran of the Office of Research who walked 316 km.

The Employee Assistance Program thanks all who participated in the Campus Walk.

 

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