Physical Activity in Adolescence Has a Positive Effect on Bone Mineral Density in Young Men

Abstract

ObjectivesLittle is yet known about the determinants of bone mineral density (BMD) in young adults. Thus, in this study, we aimed to determine the factors that have an impact on BMD in young men.MethodsQuestionnaires were sent out to 111 male medical students. Information on age, socio-economic status, medical history, lifestyle, physical activity during adolescence, school club participation, current physical activity, and dietary intake were collected by the survey. Height, weight, percent body fat and muscle mass were estimated by bioelectrical impedance, and BMD was obtained using calcaneal quantitative ultrasound. Using the Poisson regression model, prevalence ratios (PRs) were used to estimate the degree of association between risk factors and osteopenia.ResultsThe height and current physical activity showed a correlation to the Osteoporosis Index. Among the categorized variables, past physical activity during adolescence (p=0.002) showed a positive effect on the bone mineral content. In the multivariate model, past physical activity (≥1 time/wk) had a protective effect on osteopenia (PR, 0.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.18 to 0.75) and present physical activity (1000 metabolic equivalent of task-min/wk) decreased the risk of osteopenia (PR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.91).ConclusionsPast physical activity during adolescence is as important as physical activity in the present for BMD in young men.

Sports Practice and Bone Mass in Prepubertal Adolescents and Young Adults: A Cross-sectional Analysis

“…Since bone mass in adulthood is determined during early life, habits adopted during childhood and adolescence have the potential to affect the risk of osteoporosis in the elderly 5 . During human growth, the bone remodeling process is a dynamic action involving the formation and reabsorption of bone tissue, which is facilitated by behavioral factors, such as nutrition and exercise 8 . In regards to exercise, the skeleton responds positively to biomechanical forces generated by exercise stimulus, in which the osteogenic effect is more evident in the bone sites directly impacted by the activity 9,10 .…”

Estabilidade da prática esportiva durante a infância/adolescência e densidade mineral óssea na idade adulta

“…Sabe-se que os processos biológicos relacionados ao crescimento humano, ocorridos durante a infância/adolescência têm grande influência na formação da matriz óssea adulta 1,2 . Da mesma forma, diminuições da massa óssea são potencializadas pelo processo natural de envelhecimento aliado a distúrbios estimulados pela elevada atividade osteoclástica 3 , os quais podem levar ao quadro patológico da osteoporose, em idades mais avançadas.…”

“…Durante o crescimento humano, o processo de remodelação óssea constitui-se em uma ação dinâmica entre formação e reabsorção do tecido ósseo 4 , o qual pode ser afetado por diferentes fatores (idade, sexo, adiposidade, fatores nutricionais essenciais à microestrutura óssea [cálcio, vitaminas D e K]) e comportamentos de risco (tabagismo, etilismo e prática insuficiente de atividade física) 2 . A literatura científica tem indicado que a força e geometria óssea são determinadas, ao menos em partes, pela ação de agentes ambientais estressores, no qual, os locais ósseos influenciados por este estresse têm sua força e geometria modificadas.…”

Relationship between total and segmental bone mineral density and different domains of physical activity among children and adolescents: cross-sectional study

“…It can be measured either for the whole body or in segments. 1,2 Low BMD values are related to development of osteoporosis, mainly in later life, but also in pediatric populations. 2 Bone health in adulthood is determined by bone development over the course of early life, which can be affected by a large variety of variables, such as genetics, nutrition, hormone action, biological maturation and physical activity (PA).…”

“…1 Bone mineral density (BMD) represents the amount of inorganic material (calcium and phosphorus) stored in the bones, which varies over the course of life. It can be measured either for the whole body or in segments.…”