Bone density is maximised by about age 25. After that, you can only maintain what you have. This is very important for our younger athletes, females especially. Build your bone density while you can. One in every two women over age 50 is at risk of osteoporosis or weak bones later in life.
Running will help maintain bone health. But running too much or changing your training too quickly can be detrimental to bone health. Bone is living tissue. So if you introduce running or an increase in your kilometres slowly, bone can accommodate the impact and stress you’re putting on it. If not, the result will be a stress fracture or injury – a far too common but preventable injury in runners.
Remember: Bones are a runner’s best friend!
