How to Keep Your Skeletal & Muscular System Healthy

Keeping your skeletal and muscular system healthy doesn't have to be difficult, however it may require a bit of a lifestyle change. Many of the steps listed are activities required for overall good health, which is a long-term goal. Exercise and a healthy diet can be extremely fun and rewarding, and are essential in building and maintaining strong, healthy bones and muscles.

Things You'll Need

• Healthy snacks
• Multivitamin
• Running shoes or other appropriate footwear

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Eat a healthy diet full of whole grains, vegetables, fruit and lean protein, with a small amount of dairy products and healthy fats. Making sure you eat a balanced diet ensures your body is getting enough nutrients to keep your skeletal and muscular system healthy and prevent disease.

• 2

  Take a multivitamin once a day to fill in nutritional gaps you might be missing from your diet. This makes sure you are getting all the required nutrients for optimum health for your skeletal and muscular system.

• 3

  Do 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise a day. Such exercises include brisk walking, swimming, running, tennis, dancing, aerobics, etc. This type of exercise increases circulation, allowing more efficient delivery of nutrients; helps maintain a healthy weight with a good fat-to-muscle ratio; and helps keep bones strong.

• 4

  Do weight-bearing exercises three to four times a week for strong bones and muscles. These are exercises that use your muscles to pull against gravity. Good weight-bearing exercises are running (especially up hills and stairs), weightlifting, rowing, aerobics, rock climbing, etc. Having strong muscles protects the body from injury and strengthens bones, which helps prevent osteoporosis.

• 5

  Avoid smoking, drugs and excess alcohol--all of which damage overall health, bones and muscles.