Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 31, 2026
Quantified Assessment of Infant's Gross Motor Abilities Using a Multisensor Wearable
Published on: May 17, 2024
Daily physical activity in low-risk pre-term infants: positive impact on bone strength and mid-upper arm
Öznur Tosun1, Meral Bayat, Tamer Güneş
1Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, ErciyesUniversity, Kayseri, Turkey. obasdas@erciyes.edu.tr
Insights
Daily physical activity programs improve bone strength in very low birth-weight (VLBW) pre-term infants. This intervention enhanced tibial speed of sound (SOS) and mid-upper arm circumference, crucial for infant development.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Pediatric orthopedics
- Developmental pediatrics
Background:
- Pre-term osteopenia poses significant risks, including ventilator dependency and fractures.
- Effective prevention strategies are crucial for newborn health and development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of daily physical activity on bone strength and anthropometric indices in very low birth-weight (VLBW) pre-term infants.
- To evaluate changes in tibial speed of sound (SOS) and anthropometric measurements.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 40 VLBW pre-term infants (800-1600g, 26-32 weeks gestation) divided into intervention and control groups.
- The intervention group received daily physical activity alongside standard care; the control group received standard care only.
- Measurements included anthropometric indices and tibial SOS values before and after the intervention period.
Main Results:
- Tibial SOS values significantly increased in the intervention group (p < 0.001) and decreased in the control group (p = 0.002).
- A significantly greater increase in mid-upper arm circumference was observed in the intervention group compared to the control group (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Daily physical activity programs are effective in enhancing bone strength (tibial SOS) in VLBW pre-term infants.
- Physical activity also positively impacts anthropometric development, specifically mid-upper arm circumference, in this vulnerable population.
Background:
Prevention of pre-term osteopenia is important because it results in ventilator dependency, fractures in long bones, softening of the ribs or respiratory failure due to bone breaks in newborns.
Aim:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in bone strength and anthropometric indices of very low birth-weight (VLBW) pre-term infants undergoing daily physical activity.
Subjects And Methods:
Forty VLBW and low-risk pre-term infants (n intervention group = 20, n control group = 20) with a birth weight of 800-1600 g and gestational age of 26-32 weeks were recruited. Pre-term infants in the control group were provided with standard nursing care whereas those in the intervention group received a daily physical activity programme in addition to standard nursing care during the study. Before and after the study, anthropometric indices and tibial speed of sound (SOS) values were measured.
Results:
In this study the tibial SOS values were found to be increased in the intervention group (p < 0.001) and decreased in the control group (p = 0.002). The increase in percentage of the mid-upper arm circumference of infants was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group (p < 0.001).
Conclusion:
A daily physical activity programme increased SOS values of the tibia and mid-upper arm circumference in VLBW pre-term infants.
