New! Sign up for our free email newsletter.
Science News
from research organizations

Participating in sports during childhood may have long-term benefits for bone health

Date:
October 17, 2018
Source:
Wiley
Summary:
Participation in organized sport during childhood and adolescence is associated with bone mass at 20 years of age.
Share:
FULL STORY

Participation in organized sport during childhood and adolescence is associated with bone mass at 20 years of age, according to a Journal of Bone and Mineral Research study.

In the study that followed 984 children into young adulthood, males who were 'consistent sport participators' from ages 5-17 years had significantly greater whole body and leg bone mineral content at age 20 years than those who dropped out of sport, whereas males who 'joined sports' had significantly greater leg bone mineral content than those who dropped out of sport. Females who were 'consistent sport participators' had significantly greater leg bone mineral content at 20 years of age than those who dropped out.

Because attainment of optimal peak bone mass in young adulthood is protective against osteoporosis later in life, participation in organized sport may have long-term skeletal benefits.

"Targeted messages to young males and females that discourage dropping out of sport and encourage joining sport -- even in adolescence -- are important for the benefits of skeletal health," said lead author Dr. Joanne McVeigh, of Curtin University, in Australia.


Story Source:

Materials provided by Wiley. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Joanne A McVeigh, Erin K Howie, Kun Zhu, John P Walsh, Leon Straker. Organized Sport Participation From Childhood to Adolescence Is Associated With Bone Mass in Young Adults From the Raine Study. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, 2018; DOI: 10.1002/jbmr.3583

Cite This Page:

Wiley. "Participating in sports during childhood may have long-term benefits for bone health." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 17 October 2018. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/10/181017080819.htm>.
Wiley. (2018, October 17). Participating in sports during childhood may have long-term benefits for bone health. ScienceDaily. Retrieved December 6, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/10/181017080819.htm
Wiley. "Participating in sports during childhood may have long-term benefits for bone health." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/10/181017080819.htm (accessed December 6, 2024).

Explore More

from ScienceDaily

RELATED STORIES