People Who Exercise At Least 4 Times Per Week Are Happier (And Have Stronger Bones!)

A survey of 2,000 Americans found that those who exercised four to seven times a week reported high levels of happiness more often than people who exercised less often.

Today we'll share with you what these survey participants' habits and emotional self-assessment can tell us about the power of physical activity to improve our mood. We'll also look at two studies on the impact of different types of exercise on bone density and fracture risk.

Regular Workouts Linked To Happiness

A recent survey asked Americans a series of questions about their exercise habits and how they were coping with the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to reporting themselves as happier, respondents who exercised more frequently also reported being more ambitious than the sedentary participants.

Among the 2000 people surveyed, 47% said they exercised more than they did two years ago, and 64% said they had increased the frequency of their workouts even further during the COVID-19 pandemic.¹

Interestingly, about a third of respondents said they worked out in the morning. Two-thirds of those asked reported arranging their schedules to prioritize exercise.¹

Synopsis

In a survey of 2000 Americans, those who worked out more often reported feeling happier than those who exercised less often. Most people reported increasing the frequency of their workouts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Erlangen Fitness Osteoporosis Prevention Study

For women with low bone density, exercise provides one very clear reason for happiness: it is proven to increase bone density. The Erlangen fitness osteoporosis prevention study provides scientific evidence for that.

This study investigated the effect of a two-year program of vigorous high-impact, strength, and endurance training on bone mineral density. The participants were a group of early postmenopausal women with osteopenia. Fifty-nine women completed fourteen months of the exercise program under the guidance of trainers.²

Here is what the study authors wrote in their conclusion:

“We showed that a controlled multifactorial exercise training program combining running, aerobics, rope skipping, jumps, and isometric and dynamic strength training can be successfully integrated into the life of early postmenopausal women. Contrary to many other studies that showed either negative effects or no effects on density, we observed a significant BMD increase at the spine after 14 months.”²

Synopsis

A study of postmenopausal women with osteopenia found that a 14-month exercise program utilizing a variety of forms of physical activity resulted in a significant bone mineral density increase at the spine.

More Scientific Evidence In Favor Of Exercise

A study published in the journal Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews provides valuable information about the importance of load-bearing exercise in the development of new bone. This study examined how bone is formed and maintained at different stages of life, and the impacts of exercise on those processes.

The researchers emphasized that most bone growth happens during childhood. And that load-bearing exercises can help maintain bone density and recover lost density in targeted body areas in osteoporotic postmenopausal women.³

They specifically noted that walking, due to its low mechanical load, is not an effective sole strategy for preventing osteoporosis. However, we know that walking offers many health benefits, including for bone health, especially in combination with other physical activity.

This is what the researchers wrote to summarize their findings:

“Physical activity increases peak bone mass and may slow or prevent age-related bone loss… The most osteogenic activities are those that transfer high forces at high loading rates to bone.”³

Synopsis

A study examined the effects of exercise on bone health across different stages of life. It found that targeted weight-bearing exercise can maintain and increase bone mineral density is postmenopausal women.

What This Means To You

The information revealed in the research we reviewed today reinforces a simple and inescapable rule of wellness: exercise is essential. And that's never more true than when it comes to bone health.

That's why the Save Institute created SaveTrainer. SaveTrainer is an on-demand video workout platform specifically designed for bone health and for reversing signs of aging. It provides all the support you need: personalized workout plans, professional trainers, and a wide variety of workouts to make sure your needs are met.

There's a reason why that survey found regular exercise was associated with greater happiness. Health and wellness are foundational to our emotional well-being. When your body feels good, your heart is sure to follow!

References

¹ https://www.studyfinds.org/exercise-four-times-week-happier/

² https://www.archives-pmr.org/article/S0003-9993(02)04908-0/fulltext

³ https://journals.lww.com/acsm-essr/Fulltext/2003/07000/Bone_Health_Across_the_Lifespan_Exercising_Our.3.aspx