NSAIDs also inhibit bone healing. I read a quote from the head of orthopedic surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital, stating that they use NSAIDs specifically to inhibit bone healing in certain situations. (I don’t remember why, but I think it had something to do with trying to ensure that bone fractures didn’t heal incorrectly at first.) Smoking and NSAIDs both accomplish this inhibition of bone healing.
Bones are constantly being remodeled by the body. If you are very sedentary and put little stress on the bones (other than to sit on a couch all day long), the body will start removing calcium from the bones, thereby making them weaker and more susceptible to fractures. If you add a moderate amount of stress on the bones (through strength training, running or other weight-bearing activity), the body will react to the stimulus by adding calcium and creating slightly stronger bones. (Running only improves bone strength in the lower body and hips, not in the upper body.)
(There’s a limit to how much stress the bones can handle, obviously. If you get hit by a fast-moving car, your bones are likely to be pushed literally past the breaking point.)
It’s interesting to note that many cyclists have below-average bone mineral density. This could be the result of diets intended to drop bodyweight. But it could also be a result of the low impact and non-weightbearing nature of cycling. If you fall from your bike, you want to have stronger bones, in the legs, hips and upper body. (The collarbone is frequently broken in accidents.) The best way to develop stronger bones is to add some functional strength exercises to your fitness program. Good nutrition is important too.
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