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Test Your Bone Density at Curves

The ladies only gym, Curves, is hosting Bone Density Testing event on the 17th and 18th May to help prevent Osteoporosis in women.

The days are being organised  with ‘bonematters' owners and Master's degree graduates, Tracey Hunt and Isobel Pugh. Tracey and Isobel give practical advice to individuals, which includes scientifically based exercise, nutrition and lifestyle advice, in order to help them maintain and improve their bone density.

Curves owner, Janine Catterall said, "We had excellent feedback from our members and because of the importance of taking preventative measures for our health, we are also offering the testing appointments to non-members this month."

Osteoporosis is known as a ‘silent illness,' as most individuals will not be aware that they have it until they break a bone. One in two women and one in five men in the UK will break a bone - most of these fractures are due to osteoporosis.

Tracey explained: "My master's degree looked at the effects of strength training upon bone density in active post menopausal women. The results demonstrated the benefits of the right type of exercise upon the skeleton. "I have a family history of osteoporosis, I want to help people to take measures necessary to prevent it. If anyone's bone density results are of concern to us, we refer them to their GP. The scans we offer are a useful ‘filter' to help GPs decide whether or not to refer the individual on for further investigation, and where necessary, give them treatment."

Isobel said: "The social and financial costs of someone breaking a bone due to osteoporosis - to the patient, their employers, the NHS, family and friends - are enormous. A significant proportion of these costs are unnecessary, as in many cases simple changes in lifestyle can have a major impact on prevention. One challenge is to motivate people to make these changes - the earlier, the better. Providing clients with a measurement of their bone density makes the information we give out immediately afterwards more relevant to them. Research has shown that if you give the preventive advice immediately after a scan, individuals are more likely to act on it!"

The bone density testing day runs from 9am until 5.30pm at Waterlooville on the 17^th and Portsmouth on the 18^th. If you would like to find out more about this or other health initiatives that Curves offers, please contact the Curves team on 023 92 250006 (Waterlooville), or 023 92 663030 (Portsmouth).

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