Today I would like to take a look at the 3 main reasons resistance training can help us prevent injury, and need to look at the skeleton and the connective tissue and muscles which provide support.
Because bone is living tissue, it has the ability to remodel and adapt to the physical stresses imposed on it. Individuals who are physically active have been shown to have greater bone mineral density than sedentary individuals. In general, physically active people are at a reduced risk for osteoporosis, fracture or other ailments related to bone deterioration. it does appear that resistance training provides the greatest osteogenic (increase in bone mineral density) effect.
Increases in the size of connective tissues ( tendons & ligaments) as a result of resistance training are thought to be the result of an increase in the collagen content within the connective tissue sheaths.
Decreases in muscle mass (sarcopenia) and reductions in muscle strength as we age not only results in a loss of functional ability, but also increases the risk for falls and fractures. Resistance training programs for an aging population have the same benefits for increase in both strength and muscle size as programs do for the younger and more active population. As muscle strength is maintained or improved, the risk for injury is greatly reduced.
Your as old as your bones, keep them young.
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