EXERCISE PRESCRIPTION TO SUPPORT THE MANAGEMENT OF OSTEOPOROSIS Healthy Bones Australia develop exercise statement for Physiotherapists and Exercise Physiologists
With
Professor Belinda Beck, Exercise Science, Griffith University &
Owner and Director, The Bone Clinic &
Member of Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee, Healthy Bones Australia (formerly Osteoporosis Australia)
Australian Health Journal segment
Filmed in Southport, Queensland | March 2025
In Australia, more than two thirds of people over the age of 60 have osteoporosis or osteopenia. An estimated 183,000 fractures related to poor bone health occurred in 2022. Osteoporosis and related fractures affect individuals, their carers, and the wider healthcare system, costing $2.59B per year for fractures alone.
Osteoporosis is commonly managed medically and typically with treatment. Exercise is also essential in the management of osteoporosis but tends to be under-utilised due to lack of knowledge and unfounded concerns about the risk of injury. In fact, optimal care of people with low bone mass, osteoporosis and/or increased risk of falling can and should include targeted exercise to help prevent osteoporotic fracture.
Osteogenic exercise is important throughout life – in youth to optimise peak bone mass and in adulthood to minimise loss. The exercise recommendations in the current statement, however, are targeted at older adults as osteoporosis typically occurs in the later years. In light of the increased skeletal fragility of osteoporosis, it is recommended that the following exercise prescription be supervised by a clinical exercise physiologist or physiotherapist. Such expertise is required to assess co-morbidities and exercise capacity in order to appropriately individualise the exercise prescription.
Most exercise provides health benefits, and some activity is always better than none. However, specificity and overload are required to improve bone mass and strength, and high challenge balance training is required to prevent falls.
In early 2024, Healthy Bones Australia released a summary of the principles of osteogenic loading and fall prevention, the translation of those principles into clinical practice, evidence-based recommendations for exercise prescription, and special considerations, along with links to several relevant resources for people with or at risk of osteoporosis, falls and fractures.
The document is based on the latest research and developed by an expert Working Group, Advisory Committee and following a National Roundtable. The guidance in the exercise statement acts as a recommendation or exercise prescription for supervised program delivered by clinical exercise physiologists or physiotherapists.
Source: Healthy Bones Australia, Exercise Prescription to Support the Management of Osteoporosis For Physiotherapists and Exercise Physiologists (February 2024
-
Dental marketing insights from leading authority
Winning the Australian Dental Industry Award for Marketing has had a big impact to Dental Marketing Solutions. As Angus comments in closing, “Receiving the award is social proof to say, well, these guys must know something, because an independent body of their peers has assessed them and said”. He added, “Certainly it’s been good in terms of building our business.”
-
Founder makes mobility reality
Shawn Wigham as Managing Director of Hospital Products Australia (HPA), runs a successful business providing equipment to Australia’s health care teams in aged care, hospitals and day-hospital procedure centres.
But what most may not be aware of, is his rapid growth since starting the business in 2013 having just been in health care a few years earlier. Being part of a 2nd generation health care family, Shawn learnt from his father on site and at trade show visits overseas. Prior to HPA, he spent 2 years working in fit-outs of operating theatres, neo-natal and general population ICU, throughout being more fascinated with what he saw.
-
Updated handbook on chronic kidney disease management in primary care
Kidney Health Australia’s latest kidney disease guide for primary care practitioners is expected to be pivotal in slowing down the rates of kidney failure, which have doubled in the past 20 years and if left unchecked will grow by a further 42% by 2030, according to the health charity.
With specific reference to new kidney treatments and culturally safe kidney care for First Nations Australians, the 5th edition of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Management in Primary Care handbook, known as the ‘kidney bible’, is a significant step-up in enabling earlier diagnosis of kidney disease for GPs and other front-line healthcare professionals.
