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Bone Fit™

Bone Fit™ is a program developed by Osteoporosis Canada to train health care professionals in appropriate and evidence-based treatment for osteoporosis. Shirrae Anderson and Coby Wilson, two of our exercise therapists/kinesiologists, are accredited as Bone FitTM trainers with Osteoporosis Canada.

What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue. This leads to increased bone fragility and risk of fracture (broken bones), particularly to the hip, spine, wrist and shoulder.” --Osteoporosis Canada, 2017.

Osteoporosis is often called the ‘silent thief’ because bone loss occurs without any symptoms.

Statistics

• It affects both men and women
• 1 in 4 women over the age of 50
• 1 in 8 men over the age of 50
• Loss of height (> 6 cm) could suggest a spinal fracture from Osteoporosis
• Osteoporosis is more common than a heart attack, stroke and breast cancer combined
• Over 80% of all fractures in people over the age of 50 are caused by osteoporosis

How to be diagnosed:

A bone mineral density (BMD) test can measure the strength of your bones. A dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) will measure your bone density and compare it to a healthy young adult in standard deviations (SDs)

Who should have BMD test

All men and women over 65 years of age.
Postmenopausal women and men 50-64 years of age with risk factors such as:

• Fragility fracture after age 40
• Current smoker

Younger men or women (under 50) with a disease associated with low bone mass or bone loss:

• Fragility fractures
• High risk medication use (steroid use)
• Rheumatoid arthritis, Cushing’s disease

What is Bone Fit™?

Bone Fit™ is an evidence-based program to prescribe safe and effective exercises for people living with Osteporosis.

The Goal of Bone Fit™

• To build muscle strength
• To prevent falls
• To slow the rate of bone loss

What to expect with a Bone Fit™ Trainer

Assessment
• The Bone Fit™ trainer will assess a patient’s posture, balance, flexibility strength and cardiovascular health.
• Based off the assessment, exercise recommendations can be prescribed.
• Education about Osteoporosis
Exercise Prescription
Prescribe exercises focusing on:
• Strength training
• Balance
• Posture
• Spine sparing strategies (e.g., proper lifting mechanics)
• Weight-bearing aerobic physical activity
• Modify activities of daily living and leisure (e.g., golf, pilates, household chores)

If you are interested in the Bone Fit™ program, talk to your family physician.

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