Health Tip: Weight-Bearing Exercises Strengthen Bones

(HealthDay News) -- Getting plenty of calcium and vitamin D in your diet are great ways to ward off the bone-thinning disease osteoporosis. Weight-bearing exercises are another way to help maintain bone health.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends these forms of weight-bearing exercise:

• Brisk walking, jogging or hiking.

• Strenuous yard work such as pushing a lawn mower, or active gardening.

• Sports such as soccer, basketball, baseball, tennis or racquetball.

• Climbing the stairs, step aerobics or dancing.

• Activities such as skiing, bowling, skating or karate.

• Use of free weights or weight machines.