Triathlon for Osteoporosis: First of It's Kind in the Country!
The annual Sprint Triathlon for Osteoporosis Awareness, the Westplains Wunderwoman Triathlon, in North Eastern Washington near Spokane, takes place in August and involves a 1\4 mile swim in Medical Lake, 10 mile bicycle ride, and 3 mile walk or run around Medical Lake. Many of the women have osteoporosis or low bone density themselves, over 20 Osteoporosis Teams register with names like the 'Vitamin D Vikings', 'Forteo Falcons', 'Bone Beauties', 'Fosamax Foxes', and 'Osteo-Blasters'!
Every year 100s of free heel bone density screening tests are done using 5 ultrasound scanners, and of the almost 4000 spectators many learned their own risk, or lack of, for osteoporosis and fracture! How much calcium, vitamin D and exercise is recommended to make and keep strong bones was discussed with all those interested. (The heel test is for anyone over 30 years old, who had never had a test before! It is also offered in the community at the Osteoporosis Resource & Screening Centers at Deaconess and Valley Hospitals, for more information call 509-473-2194 for the Deaconess, and 509-473-5415 for the Valley) Click to see Photos from past WW Triathlons
A group of women and men on our "Expert Panel" most with osteoporosis or fractures answered one-on-one questions about their own diagnosis and treatment, such as how celiac disease can decrease calcium absorption, why many years of Depo-provera or anti-seizure medication can cause low bone mass, how severe vitamin D deficient due to past gastric bypass surgery causes aching and muscle weakness not just bone loss, and why men with past prostate cancer treatment or women taking aromatase inhibitors for past breast cancer are at high risk for osteoporosis as well!
Dr Lynn Kohlmeier, director of the Spokane Osteoporosis and the WW Triathlon Osteoporosis Education, gives a short question and answer session before the triathlon award ceremony. She talks about healthy lifestyle choices and medication options for fracture prevention as well as how exercise, specifically walking and running along with back extensor strengthening, helps build bones all through life.
Anyone interested in organizing a walk or triathlon for osteoporosis in their community, please contact the National Osteoporosis Foundation, and consider starting with the 'Steps for Your Bones' Program, currently on-line through the NOF. The NOF donated hundreds of brochures and information on osteoporosis, calcium and exercise for the triathlon participants. For more information, to www.NOF.org
