BATTLING BONE DISEASE

Bill Logan and Dr. Mark Hosler feel bad to the bone.

The two men are recuperating today after spending 24 straight hours exercising Friday and Saturday at Universal Health and Fitness as part of a fund raiser. The event, aptly named the Bad-to-the-Bone-a-thon, was sponsored by St. Francis Medical Center to bring attention to osteoporosis.

"This is going to be really encouraging for people who haven't been able to exercise before," said volunteer Mary Spell. "Exercise is one of the best ways to combat osteoporosis."

Osteoporosis is a disease of the bone characterized by thinning and weakening of the internal structure of the bone, making bones susceptible to fracture. It primarily affects women over 50.

An estimated 10 million people suffer from osteoporosis in the United States. An additional 18 million people have low bone density, a precondition of osteoporosis.

Logan, Hosler and other participants had raised about $6,400 by Saturday afternoon for the event. Money raised during the event will be used by Universal Health and Fitness to purchase air-powered exercise equipment designed for osteoporosis sufferers. The special equipment offers a low-impact workout with more control and reduced risk of injury.

"Exercise is a component of the treatment phase, and this particular equipment is especially effective for osteoporotic patients because it uses hydraulic equipment that can be programmed using only the fingertips," said Barbara Crowell with Womancare, an enterprise that performs bone density studies.

Organizers will continue working to raise $30,000 to cover equipment costs.

Logan, a member of the U.S. Duathlon team and a cardiac rehabilitation and wellness coordinator for St. Francis, alternated between laps on the indoor track and riding the stationary bike during his exercise marathon. He credited his survival to the hourly notes he received from his wife, Linda.

"Here's the real story here," he said as he looked through the 21 notes he had received. "Every hour I get to look forward to that."

Linda Logan and Sandy Hosler remained with their husbands throughout the event, making sure they ate and drank regularly. They also served as cheerleaders to get the men through the early morning hours when fatigue began to set in.

"It was really bad around 3 a.m., but it's actually better now," said Hosler with only two hours remaining Saturday. "She was here with me all night, and different people came to keep me company."

Hosler, a pathologist at Southeast Missouri Hospital and the Missouri 5K record holder for men 50 and older, also ran laps and rode a stationary bicycle for the entire length of the event. His participation helped him surpass an earlier marathon length of 19 hours of exercise.

Logan and Hosler were the only marathon exercisers. Most participants opted to devote 25 minutes or more at golf, tennis, aerobics, step and spinning classes, wallyball or walking during the benefit.

Some six hearty participants arrived at 2 a.m. to participate in a predawn aerobics class.

Activities included educational seminars on osteoporosis, tennis round robin for men and women, three-on-three wallyball tournament, golf skills evaluation and challenge, fitness poker, aerobics, spinning, demonstration by the Cape Girardeau Fire Department, senior game activities and rocking chair events.

Participants were eligible for chances at a number of prizes. Those raising at least $100 won a chance at the grand prize, a three-day, four-night trip for two to Las Vegas including air fare and accommodations. The person bringing in the largest donation over $500 will win a one-year family pass to Universal Health and Fitness.

Logan and Hosler weren't concerned about winning prizes or trips on Saturday afternoon. In fact, the singular thought on both their minds was taking a day off to recuperate from their day of exercise.

"I'm going to get a massage, then I'm going home and going to bed," said Logan.