Chances are, you probably think only athletes get stress fractures. While it's true that they're more common among athletes, particularly those in impact sports like running and track and field, they also occur in non-athletes. Women and the elderly are particularly susceptible.
According to Mayo Clinic, Stress fractures also can arise from normal use of a bone that's been weakened by a condition such as osteoporosis. If you've recently started a new exercise program, or have a condition such as osteoporosis, bones can be weakened by repetitive use, and by overuse. Other risk factors include having high, rigid arches or flat feet. Female athletes with abnormal or missed periods are at risk.
A study on stress fractures among military women examined fractures caused by repeated stress from weight-bearing exercise, as in basic training. Incidents of stress fractures were higher among the female recruits than among the men.Stress Fractures in Female Army Recruits: Implications of Bone Density, Calcium Intake, and Exercise, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins
As stress fractures can affect anyone, a healthy diet, calcium supplements, and caution during exercise or repetitive impact activities are in order.
See also: Stress Fracture, empowHer Encyclopedia