Diminished bone density has become a major concern in our population,
especially the female population. As a result, the fitness community has attempted to
address this concern with several notions supposed to effect increased bone density. These
have varied from dance to walking to strength training.
The Nautilus Osteoporosis Study (1982-1986, University of Florida Medical School) was
intended to research possible bone density increase resultant from strength training. The
study was predicated on the efficacy of a new tool - the whole-body dual-photon
absorptiometer. This tool was promoted to us as having an error of only a few percent. By
1984, it became evident that it's reliability was only 8-11 percent. This invalidated the
study.
Meanwhile, the university researchers were busy franchising mom & pop shops using a
less-reliable single-photon absorptiometer. These units were used to make
a single-pass measurement across a patient's wrist. And from this single reading
- using data collected and extrapolated from the faulty dual-photon machine - the bone
status of the entire body was projected.
I attended the 1984 Congress of the Menopause where Dr. Keith Johnson and I witnessed
several presentations correlating single-photon readings with CAT scans, fracture
incidence, and Xray. After the Congress, Keith made the comment that the single-photon
unit was no better than telling each female patient to flip a coin. As we discussed this,
scores of clinics were opening throughout the United States wherein women were paying
exorbitant fees to have their bone density evaluated. Some - possessing a healthy bone
status - were being told that they had marked osteopenia or osteoporosis. Others - indeed
unhealthy osteoporotics - were being congratulated for having strong bones.
I am now told that a new whole-body densiometer is truly reliable. It is known as the
Dexa™. I believe that this is the unit being used presently by Michael Pollock. He
has performed preliminary exercise studies documenting bone density increases as much as
one percent per week. It is very exciting to see that strength training is now being
recognized as the only efficient means to meaningfully stimulate the changes required to
protect against osteoporosis. It is regrettable that Pollock's people do not appreciate
the superior loading and safety possible with SuperSlow protocol.