About Tracey...

Tracey's interest in osteoporosis is a family affair as unfortunately, both her grandmother and mother suffer from the disease. For this reason, many of the modules Tracey took in order to pass her Master's degree focused upon osteoporosis, including a case study of an osteoporotic woman for a module entitled "Exercise, Nutrition and Ageing", and a critical appraisal of three scientific papers looking at the effects of resistance exercise on bone mineral density for her "Exercise and Health" module.

During her Master's degree, Tracey also completed a 12-week study on the effects of resistance exercise upon bone density in post-menopausal women. For her study, Tracey used a quantitative ultrasound scan (also known as QUS) to monitor the changes in bone density of the volunteers: the same machine that we use during our bone density testing days.

Tracey has eight years' experience in the health and fitness industry. Prior to her involvement with bonematters, she was the 'health 4 work' consultant for the University of Chester. She has also written her own scientifically based information booklet, "Osteoporosis - the silent killer", which is in general circulation at the University. She regularly gives exercise, nutrition and lifestyle advice to those concerned about osteoporosis and its effects.

Tracey: "A number of studies, including the one I conducted for my Master's degree, have demonstrated that the correct exercise reduces risk of osteoporosis and fracture risk in later life. People who come to us know that our knowledge is up to date, as we are continually learning new things through our reading and research. Finally, osteoporosis has severely affected my family. I am very passionate about helping people to prevent this disease."

About Isobel...

Isobel's Masters degree focused primarily upon nutrition and health. During her degree, which she also completed at the University of Chester, she passed modules on recognition and assessment of nutritional disease (which included osteoporosis), and exercise, nutrition and ageing, of which osteoporosis is an important component. She also assisted Tracey with her bone density testing during her 12-week study. Regarding osteoporosis, her subjects of interest are the effects of crash dieting, caffeine, and animal protein upon bone density.

Isobel has twelve years' experience in the health and fitness industry. Prior to becoming self employed she worked as a well-being specialist at the 'life' centre, MBNA Europe Bank, Chester. During her time at the 'life' centre, she designed and wrote scientifically based information handouts about osteoporosis for the employees. She also gave exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle advice to sufferers of mild osteoporosis.

Isobel: "A bone density scan appointment can be used to encourage osteoporosis preventive behaviour. The scan appointment can offer an educational opportunity, because immediately after you have been given your result, you are more likely to be receptive to advice about how to improve it. If the results of your scan are explained to you, you are much more likely to carry out the correct dietary, exercise and lifestyle behaviour to prevent osteoporosis, afterwards. A subject is certainly more interesting when it directly applies to you! After a scan, your attention to the subject is increased - at an earlier stage, when preventive action can be more successful."

Tracey and Isobel are professional members of the National Osteoporosis Society and Fitness Professionals. They keep their knowledge up to date with a regular subscription to Osteoporosis International and Osteoporosis Review.

Where have we tested?

Our main source of employment is at universities, where we run our testing days for the staff that work there, through the university's sports centre or fitness facilities. We have also tested in private and council run health clubs, fitness centres and gyms, and workplaces, including multinational corporations. We also hold testing days at schools and colleges.