The Physiology of Osteoporosis and How the Onero Program Rebuilds Bone Strength

Osteoporosis is a silent but serious condition that weakens bones, making them more prone to fractures. It affects millions worldwide, particularly postmenopausal women and older adults. Despite its prevalence, many people don’t realise that bone loss can be slowed—and even reversed—with the right kind of exercise.

Among the many exercise programs claiming to improve bone health, Onero™ stands out as the most scientifically validated, physiologically effective approach. Unlike generic weight-bearing exercises, Onero is specifically designed to target bone physiology, trigger bone adaptation, and reduce fracture risk.

In this blog, we’ll explore the physiology of osteoporosis, why traditional exercise methods often fall short, and how the Onero Program uses high-intensity resistance and impact training to restore bone strength effectively.

The Physiology of Osteoporosis: Understanding Bone Loss

To understand how Onero™ works, it’s important to first grasp what happens to our bones as we age.

How Healthy Bones Function

Bones are living tissues that constantly remodel themselves through a process called bone turnover. Two key types of bone cells regulate this process:

  • Osteoclasts – These cells break down and remove old bone in a process called bone resorption.

  • Osteoblasts – These cells build new bone tissue to replace what has been lost.

In healthy individuals, bone resorption and bone formation occur at equal rates, keeping bones dense and strong.

What Happens in Osteoporosis?

As we age—particularly after menopause or with certain medical conditions—this balance is disrupted:

  • Osteoclast activity (bone breakdown) outpaces osteoblast activity (bone formation).

  • Bone density declines, leading to fragile, porous bones that are prone to fractures.

  • This imbalance increases the risk of spinal fractures, hip fractures, and wrist fractures, which can severely impact mobility and independence.

📉 By the time osteoporosis is diagnosed, individuals may have already lost up to 30% of their bone mass.

This is why preventative and restorative interventions are crucial—and why the right kind of exercise can make all the difference.

Why Traditional Exercise Often Falls Short

Many people assume that any type of exercise—like walking, swimming, or general strength training—is enough to build bone density. Unfortunately, this is a common misconception.

Why Low-Impact Exercise Isn’t Enough

🚶 Walking, yoga, and swimming are great for overall health, but they don’t provide enough mechanical stress to stimulate bone growth.
🏋️ Generic strength training programs often lack the intensity and specificity needed to activate bone-forming cells.

👉 Bones respond to high-impact, high-intensity forces—not just movement. This is where Onero™ is different.

How the Onero Program Uses Physiology to Strengthen Bones

The Onero™ Program is backed by research that directly targets the physiological mechanisms behind bone growth.

1. High-Intensity Resistance Training (HIRT) Stimulates Osteoblasts

💪 Why It Works:

  • Heavy, progressive resistance training (e.g., squats, deadlifts, and overhead presses) creates bone-loading forces that activate osteoblasts.

  • This tells the body to lay down new bone tissue, increasing bone mineral density (BMD).

  • Studies show that high-intensity resistance training significantly improves BMD more than low-intensity exercise (Beck et al., 2015).

💡 Onero uses structured weightlifting to apply direct mechanical stress to bones, stimulating the bone-building process at a cellular level.

2. Impact Loading Triggers Bone Remodelling

🏃 Why It Works:

  • High-impact exercises like jumping, hopping, and drop landings provide the gravitational force needed to stimulate bone turnover.

  • These movements send shock signals through the skeleton, prompting bones to increase density to withstand future loads.

💡 Onero incorporates safe, progressive impact training designed to improve bone strength without increasing fracture risk.

3. Functional Movement Improves Balance and Reduces Falls

🤸 Why It Works:

  • Fractures often occur because of falls, so preventing falls is just as important as strengthening bones.

  • Onero includes balance and proprioception training, improving stability and coordination to reduce fall risk.

  • Stronger muscles and better reaction times mean fewer fractures—even if a fall occurs.

💡 Onero’s focus on fall prevention ensures that participants don’t just improve their bone strength—they move with more confidence and security in daily life.

Scientific Evidence Supporting Onero™

The LIFTMOR (Lifting Intervention for Training Muscle and Osteoporosis Rehabilitation) Trial, conducted by Dr. Belinda Beck and her team at Griffith University, is one of the most significant studies proving the effectiveness of Onero™.

📊 Key Findings from LIFTMOR:
✔ 3.2% increase in spinal bone density in postmenopausal women following high-intensity training.
✔ 2.2% increase in hip bone density, significantly reducing fracture risk.
✔ Zero injuries or fractures, proving that high-intensity exercise is safe for osteoporosis patients.

🔬 Studies published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research confirm that high-intensity resistance and impact training outperform traditional low-impact interventions for improving bone strength.

Who Can Benefit from the Onero™ Program?

The Onero Program is ideal for:

✔ Postmenopausal women at risk of osteoporosis.
✔ Older adults looking to prevent fractures and maintain independence.
✔ Men and women diagnosed with osteoporosis or osteopenia.
✔ Anyone looking for a science-backed exercise program to support lifelong bone health.

Start Strengthening Your Bones with Rebound Health’s Onero™ Program

At Rebound Health, we are proud to offer the Onero™ Program, helping individuals rebuild bone strength, reduce fracture risk, and regain confidence in movement.

Andrew DaubneyRebound Health - Brookvale (Pittwater Road)