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A 5-year exercise program in children improves muscle strength without affecting fracture risk
Jesper Fritz1, Marcus E Cöster2, Susanna Stenevi-Lundgren2
1Clinical and Molecular Osteoporosis Research Unit, Departments of Orthopedics and Clinical Sciences, Skåne University Hospital, 205 02, Malmö, Sweden. jesper.fritz@med.lu.se.
A 5-year pediatric physical activity (PA) intervention improved muscle strength gain in children. This increased PA did not affect fracture risk, demonstrating a safe method to enhance physical development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric exercise science
- Bone health research
- Sports medicine
Background:
- High physical activity (PA) is linked to greater muscle strength but also increased fracture risk.
- Understanding the impact of early-life PA interventions on pediatric bone health is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the influence of a pediatric PA intervention program on muscle strength and fracture risk.
- To assess long-term effects of increased physical activity in pre-pubertal children.
Main Methods:
- A 5-year school-based intervention with 200 min/week PA for children aged 6-9 years.
- An age-matched control group with 60 min/week PA.
- Fracture registration and measurement of knee strength and leg composition in a subsample.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in fracture rate ratio between intervention and control groups (1.03 [0.78, 1.36]).
- Greater annual gain in muscle strength (flexion peak torque) observed in both girls and boys in the intervention group.
- Leg composition remained similar between groups.
Conclusions:
- A 5-year PA intervention initiated in pre-puberty enhances muscle strength gain.
- Increased physical activity in childhood does not elevate fracture risk.
- Early-life PA interventions can safely improve pediatric musculoskeletal development.
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