Optimize bone density to prevent stress fractures

In other tips I’ve discussed training risk factors, such as increasing your training too quickly, that increase your chance of suffering an overuse injury like a stress fracture. Poor shoe condition in runners and inadequate caloric intake are also important factors. Poor bone density plays a role in stress fractures too.

Weaker bones cannot withstand the same level of repetitive stress. Better than giving up weight-bearing exercise like jogging, you might consider undergoing a baseline bone density screening. You could then observe or treat a deficiency if you have one.

Also read:
Tibial Stress Fracture
Bone loss in adolescent female runners

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You might also consider screening if you suffer a stress fracture. This injury could result solely from overtraining without enough time to rest. Underlying osteopenia or osteoporosis can be found, though, even in teenage female athletes. Since a sizable percentage of stress fractures are recurrent injuries, it could be worthwhile to undergo bone density screening after you suffer a stress fracture.

As always, you should check with your doctor if you have specific questions or concerns about stress fractures or bone mineral density.

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