Question
I read about when people age, the outer part of our bones get's thinner. I was wondering; people who lift weights, does the outer part of their bones get thicker and/or larger in size, or perhaps the bone material becomes more 'dense.'?

I see people who lift heavy, get bigger, which is probably mostly more muscle, but I was wondering if their is any increase in size of the bones too?

Thanks for the time. Look forward to your answer.

Answer
Dear David,

This Chicago, South Loop & Elmhurst Podiatric Doc of AnklenfootCenters.com says.......

Bones and muscles will respond to outside stresses, and continue to strengthen, even as we age. For example,a foot bone in a weight lifter who is well nourished, will be stronger than others.
In some Martial arts the foot, leg & hand bones become thicker from hitting them and the eventual scarring of the periosteum (bone covering). Look at a boxers hands
The bones increase the amount of trabeculae (internal bone girders)to make the bone stronger internally. Outside thickening may occur-but not so much in size increase
Hope this Helps &
Good Luck!


Dr George Tsatsos & Dr Svetlana Zats
Podiatrist Chicago 60618 & Elmhurst 60126 Podiatrists
Board Certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery & Orthopedics
New South Loop Location-Chicago 60661
AnkleNFoot.com
Runnersdoc.com
BabyFootDoc.com

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