Wake Forest- Weighted Vests for Bone Density Benefit You

Wake Forest University researchers have launched a new study that should prove the benefits of weighted vests for bone density.

Bone density poses a serious health risk for aging adults, especially when considering injuries, fractures and broken bones as a result of falling.

This week's announcement of Wake Forest's study (That vest in the pictures looks familiar.) gives a significant boost to the field of weighted vests for bone density.

The study will test if "...wearing a weighted vest can take the place of traditional resistance training to help maintain bone density and quality in older adults with obesity who are trying to lose weight."

Make No Bones About It

The potentially landmark study should conclusively show that weight vests are an effective solution to bone density loss.

Aging adults, particularly those who are overweight, face a unique challenge. They want to lose weight, but this comes at the cost of losing bone density.

Resistance training addresses both issues, helping to burn more calories, by putting on more muscle and improving bone density.

The same group of Wake Forest researchers found in a previous study that "...seniors who lifted weights while restricting calories lost less muscle and had stronger bones."

Unfortunately, seniors face challenges picking up a resistance training habit. They include gym membership cost, traveling to the gym and even being able to effectively complete load-bearing movements.

Thus, the nearly $3 million grant awarded to Wake Forest University from the National Institute on Aging, will help to show the efficacy of weighted vests for bone density, in place of resistance training at gyms.

Benefits of Weighted Vests for Bone Density

Kristen M. Beavers, PhD, MPH, RD, of the Department of Health and Exercise Science at Wake Forest University, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, serves as the lead researcher of the study.

Beavers noted the broken bone risk highlighted by the pilot study:

"...limited randomized controlled trial data suggest that this degree of weight and bone loss is associated with increased risk of frailty fractures (ie, hip, pelvis, upper arm, or shoulder fractures)."

Thankfully, weight vests bring the benefits of the gym home to seniors. Figuratively speaking, they don't have to go anywhere to receive the same benefits of lifting traditional weights.

They can stay home, wear the weight vest and go for a walk or do body weight exercises. The participants of the pilot study noted the ease of using the weight vest.

According to Beavers,"Several of our pilot participants commented that it was just easier for them to get out of bed in the morning, put on the vest for a few hours, and then take it off mid-day."

Besides staving off the adverse symptoms of bone loss, training with weighted vests offers other benefits as well.

We've previously covered these benefits, discussing the advantages of walking with a weight vest to manage osteoporosis.

We've also included quality advice from physical therapist, Margaret Martin, who shares weighted vest osteoporosis exercises and her review of the Hyper Vest Pro.

READ HERE FOR MORE BENEFITS OF WEIGHTED VEST OSTEOPOROSIS RESEARCH

How Do I Know if I Should Be Concerned?

Statistics regarding osteoporosis and low bone mass aren't pretty.

The International Osteoporosis Foundation reports that in the United States:

-Osteoporosis and low bone mass are currently estimated to be a major public health threat for almost 44 million U.S. women and men aged 50 and older.

-The 44 million people with either osteoporosis or low bone mass represent 55 percent of the people aged 50 and older in the United States.

If you fall into one or more of these groups, you may want to consult your doctor to find out if you're at risk.

If you are at risk, ask your doctor about using weighted vests to improve your bone density.

Shout Out to @geoffreese on Instagram

We found Geoff's pic (the first picture at the top) for this blog and noticed his interesting post along with it.

"How come on your IG feeds I never see people like me? I see sexy young girls or young dudes in their 30’s maaaybe in their 40’s. I never see anyone like me. I’m 60 and bust my tail every day with your products. Ha I know, people like me don’t “sell” your stuff. I’m just say’n. Mix the age group up y’all. There’s more people out there like me get’n it done I guarantee you!"

Here you go Geoff. We noticed, we listened and we responded.

We hope you see this, so you can enjoy your time to shine.

Thanks for choosing Hyperwear, and using our products. We want to be as inclusive as possible here, and give everyone under our roof all the credit that's due to them for their hard work and loyalty to us.

And by all means, please keep taking those gorgeous Instagram pictures Hyperwear nation! We love using authentic and genuine pictures of real customers using our gear, as opposed to stock photos, when we can.

You make us who we are, and we're often, mightily impressed with the awesome pictures you take. Keep posting them, and perhaps someday soon, you'll find yourself up on a blog too.

The only thing more impressive, are your workouts.

Thanks for reading everyone. Have a great day, stay awesome and keep training hard.