Physical activity builds stronger bones, even in children with genetic risk

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-06/chop-pab061316.php

Public Release: 13-Jun-2016
Physical activity builds stronger bones, even in children with genetic risk
CHOP researchers: High-impact activity can benefit children and adolescents genetically predisposed to bone fragility
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Exercise, particularly high-impact activity, builds stronger bones in children, even for those who carry genetic variants that predispose them to bone weakness, according to new research. The scientists say their findings underscore that genetics does not necessarily equate to destiny, and reinforce the importance of physical activity as a key factor to improve the bone health of children in the present and into later life.

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The researchers found that across the board, children had higher bone density scores if they had higher levels of physical activity. This even applied to those with a higher genetic risk for bone fragility. Importantly, the benefits of activity were driven entirely by high-impact, weight-bearing activity, such as gymnastics and soccer, which involve sprinting, turning or jumping actions.

The researchers note that replication studies by other groups are going to be needed to follow up their study, and that other groups should investigate similar questions in populations other than the children of European ancestry covered in this analysis.

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