Originally Posted by
Carbonfiberboy
I started strength training in the gym about 2 years after I started cycling training, so uh . . .23 years ago. I strength trained for about 8 months/year + backpacked. I did heavy squats and similar leg and pelvis work, got lots stronger, rode well, but it apparently didn't help with the bone loss. I've mostly done endurance cycling, so long rides. My rheumaticist says it was because of lack of calcium. I didn't supplement because of the studies showing it didn't help sedentary folks and increased risk of heart disease, and I drank no milk and in general, didn't consume that much dairy. 1000mg calcium is a quart of milk.
I started a thread encouraging strength training in cyclists:
https://www.bikeforums.net/training-...e-athlete.html
I started the 1000mg calcium + magnesium the day I started this thread. Ask me in 5 years if it worked.
Yes, I’ve heard the same, that calcium supplements don’t “take” as far as bone loss.
And if the calcium loss is dermal, if that’s the right word, I hope it can be replenished via supplements, that’s a very interesting study.
Riding for hours a day seems to place the body in an imbalance as far as maintaining bone density. It would seem that one would either need to cycle less and/or be sure to pair their fitness routine with a good balance of strength training plus add calcium supplements.
I found this...
“They also may have been sweating out more calcium than they were taking in, leaving their bones even more vulnerable. The researchers noted that losing large amounts of calcium during exercise can trigger hormonal activity associated with bone loss. Though they didn’t ask about calcium timing, some research suggests that eating a calcium-rich meal 90 minutes before intensive exercise can help lessen that bone-depleting hormonal activity.
Finally, it bears mentioning that this study was conducted in Norway, a country that has one of the
highest rates of osteoporosis and bone fracture rates in the world, possibly due to insufficient sun exposure, which helps the body create bone-building vitamin D.
Bottom line: To keep your bones strong, pay as much attention to your strength-training routine—yes, that means making the time to fit it into your routine year-round—as you do your riding. Check out these
10 essential strength moves for cyclists, and how you can implement them into your program.“
https://www.bicycling.com/health-nut...ngth-training/