Non-elite gymnastics participation is associated with greater bone strength, muscle size, and function in pre- and early pubertal girls

Burt, Lauren A; Naughton, Géraldine; Greene, David; Courteix, Daniel; Ducher, Ga͏ële

doi:10.1007/s00198-011-1677-z

Cited by 30 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Physical activity represents an extrinsic factor that impacts both mineral accretion and BMAT, exerting permissive capacity of the growing skeleton to achieve its full genetic potential [24]. In accordance with the consistent reports of the beneficial effects of physical activity on bone deposition in children [25–30], we hypothesized that in this moderate-intensity weight-bearing physical activity intervention during a critical period of growth and development would result in augmentation of material properties of bone in terms of mineral deposition and femoral marrow cavity volume. There were no significant differences in baseline sample characteristics (Table 1).…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 52%

Short-term physical activity intervention decreases femoral bone marrow adipose tissue in young children: A pilot study

Casazza

Hanks

Hidalgo

et al. 2012

Bone

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Mechanical stimulation is necessary for maximization of geometrical properties of bone mineralization contributing to long-term strength. The amount of mineralization in bones has been reciprocally related to volume of bone marrow adipose tissue and this relationship is suggested to be an independent predictor of fracture. Physical activity represents an extrinsic factor that impacts both mineralization and marrow volume exerting permissive capacity of the growing skeleton to achieve its full genetic potential. Because geometry- and shape-determining processes primarily manifest during the linear growth period, the accelerated structural changes accompanying early childhood (ages 3 to 6 y) may have profound impact on lifelong bone health. The objective of this pilot study was to determine if a short-term physical activity intervention in young children would result in augmentation of geometric properties of bone. Three days per week the intervention group (n=10) participated in 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity, such as jumping, hopping and running, and stretching activities, whereas controls (n=10) underwent usual activities during the 10-week intervention period. Femoral bone marrow adipose tissue volume and total body composition were assessed by magnetic resonance imaging and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, respectively, at baseline and after ten weeks. Although after 10-weeks, intergroup differences were not observed, a significant decrease in femoral marrow adipose tissue volume was observed in those participating in physical activity intervention. Our findings suggest physical activity may improve bone quality via antagonistic effects on femoral bone marrow adipose tissue and possibly long-term agonistic effects on bone mineralization.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 52%

Short-term physical activity intervention decreases femoral bone marrow adipose tissue in young children: A pilot study

Casazza

Hanks

Hidalgo

et al. 2012

Bone

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“…All studies (except one) that demonstrated a bone strength advantage for sport groups, reported positive adaptations in both bone mass and structure. Generally, bone strength was conferred to athletes based on a larger bone area (6% to 80%; total, cortical, and medullary) or significantly larger cortices (eg, up to 26% greater cortical thickness at 38% tibia).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…RCTs tended to focus on prepubertal ( n = 7) or mixed prepubertal and peripubertal groups ( n = 5); only two studies included both prepubertal and postpubertal participants . Recreational PA and organized sports studies more often assessed bone outcomes in prepubertal ( n = 2) or mixed prepubertal and peripubertal groups ( n = 8) . Fewer were conducted in postmenarcheal ( n = 4) or with mixed (prepubertal, peripubertal, and postpubertal) groups ( n = 7) .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of Physical Activity on Bone Strength in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis

Tan

Macdonald

Kim

et al. 2014

Journal of Bone and Mineral Research

194

151

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A preponderance of evidence from systematic reviews supports the effectiveness of weight-bearing exercises on bone mass accrual, especially during the growing years. However, only one systematic review (limited to randomized controlled trials) examined the role of physical activity (PA) on bone strength. Thus, our systematic review extended the scope of the previous review by including all PA intervention and observational studies, including organized sports participation studies, with child or adolescent bone strength as the main outcome. We also sought to discern the skeletal elements (eg, mass, structure, density) that accompanied significant bone strength changes. Our electronic-database, forward, and reference searches yielded 14 intervention and 23 observational studies that met our inclusion criteria. We used the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) tool to assess the quality of studies. Due to heterogeneity across studies, we adopted a narrative synthesis for our analysis and found that bone strength adaptations to PA were related to maturity level, sex, and study quality. Three (of five) weight-bearing PA intervention studies with a strong rating reported significantly greater gains in bone strength for the intervention group (3% to 4%) compared with only three significant (of nine) moderate intervention studies. Changes in bone structure (eg, bone cross-sectional area, cortical thickness, alone or in combination) rather than bone mass most often accompanied significant bone strength outcomes. Prepuberty and peripuberty may be the most opportune time for boys and girls to enhance bone strength through PA, although this finding is tempered by the few available studies in more mature groups. Despite the central role that muscle plays in bones' response to loading, few studies discerned the specific contribution of muscle function (or surrogates) to bone strength. Although not the focus of the current review, this seems an important consideration for future studies.

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“…Following findings from animals, most human skeletal exercise studies have focused on resistance training and high impact exercises (eg, jumping). Further support for these regimens comes from cross-sectional studies of athletes who regularly engage in these activities and that report almost universally that exercise-trained individuals have greater bone health than their sedentary peers (8,15,37,45). Comparisons among athletes who consistently participate in loading versus nonloading recreational activities and sports lend additional support to the potential causal role of exercise in optimizing skeletal health (8,24,28).…”

Section: Exercise In Enhancing Skeletal Gains In Children and Adolescmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exercise, Hormones, and Skeletal Adaptations During Childhood and Adolescence

Farr¹,

Laddu

Going

2014

Pediatric Exercise Science

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Although primarily considered a disorder of the elderly, emerging evidence suggests the antecedents of osteoporosis are established during childhood and adolescence. A complex interplay of genetic, environmental, hormonal and behavioral factors determines skeletal development, and a greater effort is needed to identify the most critical factors that establish peak bone strength. Indeed, knowledge of modifiable factors that determine skeletal development may permit optimization of skeletal health during growth and could potentially offset reductions in bone strength with aging. The peripubertal years represent a unique period when the skeleton is particularly responsive to loading exercises, and there is now overwhelming evidence that exercise can optimize skeletal development. While this is not controversial, the most effective exercise prescription and how much investment in this prescription is needed to significantly impact bone health continues to be debated. Despite considerable progress, these issues are not easy to address, and important questions remain unresolved. This review focuses on the key determinants of skeletal development, whether exercise during childhood and adolescence should be advocated as a safe and effective strategy for optimizing peak bone strength, and whether investment in exercise early in life protects against the development of osteoporosis and fractures later in life.

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Non-elite gymnastics participation is associated with greater bone strength, muscle size, and function in pre- and early pubertal girls

Abstract: Non-elite gymnastics participation was associated with musculoskeletal benefits in upper limb bone geometry, strength and muscle function. Differences between the two gymnastic groups emerged for arm lean mass and muscle CSA, but not for bone strength.

Cited by 30 publications

References 37 publications

Short-term physical activity intervention decreases femoral bone marrow adipose tissue in young children: A pilot study

Short-term physical activity intervention decreases femoral bone marrow adipose tissue in young children: A pilot study

Influence of Physical Activity on Bone Strength in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis

Exercise, Hormones, and Skeletal Adaptations During Childhood and Adolescence

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