You can get a scan if you’re worried about your bone density but there’s an easier way to test your musculo-skeletal health:
One in three women and one in five men will suffer a fracture as a consequence of low bone density.
But a challenge has been launched for World Osteoporosis Day to help gauge our resilience against osteoporosis.
It’s a simple test to count how many times you can sit and stand in 30 seconds without using your hands.
It measures overall musculo-skeletal health, that researchers say is vital to preventing osteoporosis.
You start seated in a chair, then count how many times you can stand and sit, with arms folded, in half a minute. It’s important to fully stand and fully sit at each repetition to get a good measure.
A healthy person with average fitness under 40 should be able to achieve a score of more than 19.
If you are over 40, you should be able to score 1-2 less than this for every decade beyond 40.
If you struggle, you may want to consult a health professional.
Fonterra Principal Research Scientist Linda Schollum says the challenge is not in a formal research setting, but launched as a fun and engaging way to raise awareness.
“The test is a bit of fun and anyone in reasonable health can do it. It’s really valuable to test how well your body is faring.” . .
I managed 25.
Posted by homepaddock 
