Bone health: part 2, physical activity.

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Orthopedics
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Mechanical loading is essential for maintaining skeletal health.
• Physical activities, exercise, and sports generate diverse mechanical loads on bones.
• Weight-bearing activities, particularly those with jumping and impact, are effective for bone health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the scientific literature on mechanical loading and bone health.
• To identify the types of physical activity most beneficial for skeletal maintenance.
• To examine the effects of mechanical loading across different life stages.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of PubMed, Web of Science, and edited books.
• Inclusion of English language publications from 1961 to the present.
• Focus on studies investigating mechanical loading and skeletal responses.

Main Results:

• Physical activity provides crucial mechanical loads to bones via muscle, ground reaction, and impact forces.
• Jumping and impact-intensive weight-bearing exercises yield greater strain magnitudes, rates, and frequencies.
• Physical activity shows acute benefits for bone health in early puberty and in older age, including postmenopausal women.

Conclusions:

• Mechanical loading through physical activity is fundamental for skeletal health.
• Impact-based weight-bearing exercises are particularly effective for enhancing bone density and strength.
• Targeted physical activity interventions can support bone health across the lifespan, especially during critical periods like puberty and aging.