Bone Health and Its Relationship with Impact Loading and the Continuity of Physical Activity throughout School Periods.
Bone is influenced by physical activity (PA) throughout life, but childhood and adolescence provide a key opportunity to maximize peak bone mass. Thus, it is important to identify the relationship between PA practiced in childhood and young adulthood to design a promotion plan for bone health. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between different impact-loading PAs (and their continuity throughout school periods from childhood to young adulthood) and bone stiffness index (SI). In this cross-sectional study, which was conducted on 145 university students aged 18-21 years, bone measurements were measured by quantitative ultrasonometry (QUS), and PA information was recalled using a self-administered questionnaire. Associations between the SI and the impact of PA performed during secondary school (p = 0.027), high school (p = 0.002), and university (p = 0.016) periods were observed. The continuity of PA over a longer period of time was related to a higher SI (p = 0.007). Those who practiced PA throughout all school periods had a higher SI than those who practiced during primary school only (p = 0.038) or through primary and secondary schools (p = 0.009). These results suggest that impact-loading PA practiced during different school periods is related to higher values of the SI. Therefore, continuous PA from an early age may be an important contributing factor to achieving and maintaining adequate bone health.
['Hervás|Gotzone|G|', 'Ruiz-Litago|Fatima|F|', 'Irazusta|Jon|J|', 'Irazusta|Amaia|A|', 'Sanz|Begoña|B|0000-0002-6354-6401', 'Gil-Goikouria|Javier|J|', 'Fraile-Bermudez|Ana Belen|AB|', 'Pérez-Rodrigo|Carmen|C|', 'Zarrazquin|Idoia|I|']
D000293:Adolescent D000328:Adult D015519:Bone Density D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies D015444:Exercise D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008137:Longitudinal Studies D008297:Male D012574:Schools D013030:Spain D013334:Students D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires D014495:Universities D016474:Weight-Bearing D055815:Young Adult
bone health adolescents children exercise growth and development lifestyle change muscle–skeletal system