The Body of an 80 Year Old

Many young dancers may not realize the importance of bone health and what they can do now to build a strong skeleton, but preventative measures should be taken early on to decrease changes of Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis, which means “porous bones,” is a bone-thinning disease caused by a lack of bone minerals, primarily calcium. The seeds of osteoporosis are planted in adolescence. During these years, the right combination of exercise and nutrition can build bone to last a lifetime, or poor eating and activity habits can greatly increase your chances of getting the disease.

The most rapid formation of bone occurs between the ages of 13 and 24, relatively little bone mineral can be added to the mature skeleton. It follows that the key time to put bone “in the bank” is before age 30. The higher the deposit, the more you’ll have to draw from throughout your life.

For some dancers, disordered eating (that is, inconsistent or restrictive eating habits) and the excessive physical activity demanded by a rigorous training or performing schedule may create a stress condition in the body that alters hormone levels, shuts down the reproductive system, disrupts the normal menstrual cycle and begins to weaken bones. The combination of these is known as the “Female Athlete Triad.” This makes it possible for a 20-year-old dancer to have bones as if she were 60.

Osteoporosis deteriates the bones and create consequneces such as stress fractures, particularly of the hips, spine, wrists, shins and, especially for those who dance on pointe (the toes.) Spinal fractures generally manifest later in life. Weakened bones can fracture spontaneously without any injury or trauma, simply because they are too fragile to support the weight of the body. While the relationship between bone density and stress fractures remains unclear, poor nutrition and a sudden change in frequency, intensity or duration of training can increase the risk. One study of ballet dancers showed a significant increase in fracture risk when they trained more than 5 hours a day.

It is not enough to simply exercise, but nutrition and calcium intake need to improve in a dancers lifestyle. This is especially important in dancers beginning their training and developing into adulthood, because they are more susceptible in the detriment of bone loss.