Bone Health and Its Relationship with Impact Loading and the Continuity of Physical Activity throughout School Periods

Gotzone Hervás, Fatima Ruiz-Litago, Jon Irazusta, Amaia Irazusta, Begoña Sanz, Javier Gil-Goikouria, Ana Belen Fraile-Bermudez, Carmen Pérez-Rodrigo and Idoia Zarrazquin
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Gotzone Hervás: Department of Physigology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain
Fatima Ruiz-Litago: Department of Physigology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain
Jon Irazusta: Department of Physigology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain
Amaia Irazusta: Department of Nursing I, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain
Begoña Sanz: Department of Physigology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain
Javier Gil-Goikouria: Department of Physigology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain
Ana Belen Fraile-Bermudez: Department of Nursing I, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain
Carmen Pérez-Rodrigo: Department of Physigology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain
Idoia Zarrazquin: Department of Nursing I, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 16, 1-12

Abstract: Bone is influenced by physical activity (PA) throughout life, but childhood and adolescence provide a key opportunity to maximize peak bone mass. Thus, it is important to identify the relationship between PA practiced in childhood and young adulthood to design a promotion plan for bone health. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between different impact-loading PAs (and their continuity throughout school periods from childhood to young adulthood) and bone stiffness index (SI). In this cross-sectional study, which was conducted on 145 university students aged 18–21 years, bone measurements were measured by quantitative ultrasonometry (QUS), and PA information was recalled using a self-administered questionnaire. Associations between the SI and the impact of PA performed during secondary school ( p = 0.027), high school ( p = 0.002), and university ( p = 0.016) periods were observed. The continuity of PA over a longer period of time was related to a higher SI ( p = 0.007). Those who practiced PA throughout all school periods had a higher SI than those who practiced during primary school only ( p = 0.038) or through primary and secondary schools ( p = 0.009). These results suggest that impact-loading PA practiced during different school periods is related to higher values of the SI. Therefore, continuous PA from an early age may be an important contributing factor to achieving and maintaining adequate bone health.

Keywords: bone health; growth and development; children; adolescents; exercise; lifestyle change; muscle–skeletal system (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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