Does running strengthen bone?

Abstract

Bone is a living tissue needing mechanical stress to maintain strength. Traditional endurance exercises offer only modest effects on bone. Walking and running produce low impact but lead to bone fatigue. This article is specifically addressed to therapists and explains the mechanisms involved for the effects of exercise on bone. Intermittent exercise limits bone fatigue, and downhill exercises increase ground impact forces and involve eccentric muscle contractions, which are particularly osteogenic.

Keywords: bone; bone-muscle crosstalk; communication os muscle; course; exercice; exercise; force de réaction au sol; ground reaction force; intermittent; interval training; os; running.