24-Week jumping exercise influence on growth speed and GH-IGF-1-IGFBP-3 axis among short-stature children

To explore the effect of jumping exercises on improving short-stature symptoms and changes of serum GH, IGF-1, IGFBP-3, and IGF-1/IGFBP-3 in short-stature patients, so as to provide potential theoretical reference for short-stature treatment.

A non-randomized controlled intervention study was registered on January 8, 2025, with the China Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2500095544). This study was conducted with the recruitment of 15 short-stature children in the same environment (Exercise Experimental Group 1); 20 children with normal development level (Blank Control Group 2); and 27 healthy short-stature children in this area (Short Blank Control Group 3). Children in Group 1 were given exercise intervention for 24 weeks, and those in the other two groups were provided with natural observation for 24 weeks. After the experiment, this study further analyzed the growth values of height, growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3 (IGF-BP-3) and IGF-1/IGF-BP-3 of the three groups.

After 24 weeks of exercise intervention, Group 1 had higher height, serum IGF-1, and the growth value of molar ratio of IGF-1/IGFBP-3 than those of Group 2 and Group 3, with statistically significant difference between Group 1 and Group 3 (all p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in serum GH level and its growth value among groups before and after the experiment (p > 0.05),. In addition, the serum IGFBP-3 in Group 1 was lower than that in Group 2 and Group 3 (both p < 0.01).

The 24-week jumping exercise intervention can effectively improve the height of short-stature children. It can enhance the function of GH-IGF-1-IGFBP-3 axis through improving serum IGF-3 level and molar ratio of IGF-1/IGFBP-3, while decreasing the level of serum IGFBP-3. Nevertheless, exercise intervention has no effect on morning GH secretion in short-stature children.