School-based exercise interventions effectively increase bone mineralization in children and adolescents.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Pediatrics
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• Osteoporosis and fragility fractures pose significant global health challenges.
• Maximizing peak bone mass in youth through weight-bearing activity is crucial for lifelong bone health.
• School-based interventions are an effective strategy for promoting physical activity in children and adolescents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the effectiveness of school-based exercise interventions in enhancing bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC).
• To identify key characteristics of effective interventions for bone health in young populations.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review of 17 studies involving school-based exercise interventions was conducted.
• Interventions primarily focused on jumping exercises.
• Bone outcomes (BMD/BMC) and ground reaction forces (GRFs) were analyzed.

Main Results:

• 15 out of 17 studies reported significant increases in BMD and/or BMC.
• Effective interventions utilized jumping exercises with ground reaction forces (GRFs) ranging from 3.5 to 8.8 times body weight (BW).
• Lower GRFs (2-3 BW) were associated with non-significant changes in BMD/BMC, though bone strength may still improve.

Conclusions:

• School-based exercise interventions are effective and efficient for improving bone health in children and adolescents.
• High-intensity, high-impact jumping exercises with sufficient GRFs are essential for maximizing bone mineralization.
• These interventions play a vital role in preventing osteoporosis and fragility fractures in later life.