Bones Benefit from Exercise – No Movement Needed
- Researchers at the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed) have pinpointed a biological process explaining how physical activity strengthens bones.
- The research team identified a specific protein that functions as the body's "exercise sensor," enabling bones to react to physical movement.
- "Osteoporosis and age-related bone loss affect millions worldwide, frequently enough leaving elderly and bedridden patients vulnerable to fractures and loss of independence," said Professor Xu Aimin, Director of...
Hong Kong Researchers Identify Key to Exercise’s Bone-Strengthening Effects
Researchers at the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed) have pinpointed a biological process explaining how physical activity strengthens bones. The discovery, published January 26, 2026, in signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, could pave the way for new osteoporosis treatments, particularly for those unable to exercise.
How Exercise Strengthens Bones
The research team identified a specific protein that functions as the body’s “exercise sensor,” enabling bones to react to physical movement. This finding suggests the potential for medications that mimic exercise’s benefits,offering hope for older adults,bedridden patients,and individuals with chronic illnesses at higher fracture risk.
“Osteoporosis and age-related bone loss affect millions worldwide, frequently enough leaving elderly and bedridden patients vulnerable to fractures and loss of independence,” said Professor Xu Aimin, Director of the State Key laboratory of pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Chair Professor in the Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, HKUMed, who led the study. “Current treatments rely heavily on physical activity, which many patients simply cannot perform. We need to understand how our bones get stronger when we move or exercise before we can find a way to replicate the benefits of exercise at the molecular level.This study is a critical step towards that goal.”
The Problem of Bone Loss
Osteoporosis-related fractures represent a significant global health concern. The World Health Association estimates that approximately one in three women and one in five men over age 50 will experience a fracture due to weakened bones.
In Hong Kong, osteoporosis affects 45% of women and 13% of men aged 65 and older. These fractures frequently lead to chronic pain, decreased mobility, and reduced independence, placing a substantial burden on healthcare systems.
as people age, bone density naturally declines, making bones more porous. Within the bone marrow, mesenchymal stem cells can differentiate into either bone tissue or fat cells. These cells are highly responsive to physical forces like movement and pressure.