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Can Physical Activity Improve Peak Bone Mass?

  • Nutrition and Lifestyle in Osteoporosis (S Ferrari, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

The pediatric origin of osteoporosis has led many investigators to focus on determining factors that influence bone gain during growth and methods for optimizing this gain. Bone responds to bone loading activities by increasing mass or size. Overall, pediatric studies have found a positive effect of bone loading on bone size and accrual, but the types of loads necessary for a bone response have only recently been investigated in human studies. Findings indicate that responses vary by sex, maturational status, and are site-specific. Estrogen status, body composition, and nutritional status also may influence the bone response to loading. Despite the complex interrelationships among these various factors, it is prudent to conclude that increased physical activity throughout life is likely to optimize bone health.

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Conflict of Interest

B. Specker declares that she has no conflicts of interest.

M. Minett declares that she has no conflicts of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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  1. E.A. Martin Program in Human Nutrition, SWC, South Dakota State University, Box 506, Brookings, SD, 57007, USA

    Bonny Specker & Maggie Minett

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  1. Bonny Specker
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  2. Maggie Minett
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Correspondence to Bonny Specker.

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Specker, B., Minett, M. Can Physical Activity Improve Peak Bone Mass?. Curr Osteoporos Rep 11, 229–236 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11914-013-0152-5

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