Bone health is about more than a scan
Osteoporosis makes bones more fragile and more likely to fracture. Managing it can involve medical treatment, exercise, nutrition and measures to reduce falls. Exercise is one part of that care—not a replacement for prescribed treatment.
At EHF, an exercise appointment is an opportunity to discuss how your bone health affects the activities you want to keep doing. That might mean feeling steadier outdoors, managing stairs or building confidence in a supervised gym setting.
Explore three parts of exercise support
Choose a topic to learn why it may be part of an individual program. These categories explain the approach; they are not exercises to start without advice.
Support bones and muscles
Resistance exercise works muscles against a load. The exercises, technique and starting load need to fit your health, strength and fracture history. Progression should be planned and reviewed.
A QUESTION FOR YOUR CARE TEAM
What type of strength training is appropriate for me?
Support steadier movement
Balance and functional movement practice may form part of a falls-prevention approach. The challenge and available support should suit your ability, rather than exposing you to an avoidable fall.
A QUESTION FOR YOUR CARE TEAM
What support should I use when practising balance?
Choose the right kind of challenge
Weight-bearing and impact activities can be relevant to bone health, but the appropriate type and level vary. Do not assume jumping, skipping or running is suitable because it appears in a general exercise article.
A QUESTION FOR YOUR CARE TEAM
Are impact activities appropriate given my fracture risk?
Healthy Bones Australia recommends tailored, supervised exercise for people with diagnosed osteoporosis. A history of fractures or other conditions can change what is appropriate.
Start with your circumstances
Let your exercise professional know about your diagnosis, previous fractures, pain, falls and any advice from your GP or specialist. Bring relevant reports or a referral if you have them, and ask what information is needed beforehand.
The conversation should also cover what matters to you. A meaningful goal can be more useful than simply saying “get fitter”: tell us which everyday task or activity you want help with.
Track what is changing
Exercise programs can be adjusted as strength, movement and confidence change. Ask your clinician what they are measuring, how often the plan will be reviewed and what would be a reason to change it.
Feeling stronger is useful feedback, but it is not the same as measuring bone density. Your medical team guides bone-density testing and reviews your overall osteoporosis treatment. No exercise program can guarantee that a fracture will not occur.
Exercise belongs in a wider care plan
Nutrition and medical treatment also matter. Ask your GP or an appropriately qualified dietitian about calcium, vitamin D and whether supplements are needed. Keep taking prescribed medicines unless your prescriber advises otherwise.
Falls prevention can extend beyond exercise. Discuss concerns such as dizziness, vision or hazards around the home with the appropriate health professional. Tell EHF about relevant advice so exercise support fits with your broader plan.
Get advice before changing your exercise
Speak with your treating health professional if you have a recent fracture, new pain or uncertainty about the safety of an activity. Seek medical advice after a concerning fall or if you think you may have injured a bone.
For a medical emergency, call 000. This article cannot assess your fracture risk or prescribe a suitable exercise program.
Questions for your care team
Osteoporosis and exercise: my appointment questions
Eurobodalla Health & Fitness · 02 4472 8008
Choose the questions you would like to discuss, then print this list to take to your appointment.
Selections stay on this page only.
Common questions
Should I avoid exercise if I have osteoporosis?
Not necessarily. The aim is to find appropriate activity, taking your health and fracture risk into account. Ask for an individual plan and guidance about supervision.
Is walking the same as strength training?
Different activities have different purposes. Walking, resistance training and balance practice are not interchangeable. Discuss which combination fits your goals and current ability.
Can I start jumping or running to strengthen my bones?
Get individual advice first. Impact exercise is not a universal starting point, particularly if you have osteoporosis or previous fractures.
Can exercise replace osteoporosis medicine?
Exercise does not replace prescribed medical treatment. Your GP or specialist should guide decisions about medicines and bone-density testing.
Will my exercise physiologist recommend supplements?
Bring questions about supplements to your GP or an appropriately qualified dietitian. Your exercise professional can work alongside that advice.
Find a practical starting point with EHF
EHF has clinics in Batemans Bay, Moruya and Ulladulla. Tell us your preferred clinic, what you want help with and whether you have advice or a referral from your treating team. We can help you check the appropriate next step.
If you intend to use a funded pathway or private health cover, ask which referrals, approvals and other documents are needed before your appointment. Eligibility, rebates and out-of-pocket costs depend on your circumstances; they are not guaranteed by this article.
Further reading
General information to support a conversation with your care team.
