How Physical Activity across the Lifespan Can Reduce the Impact of Bone Ageing: A Literature Review

Maria Felicia Faienza, Giuseppe Lassandro, Mariangela Chiarito, Federica Valente, Loredana Ciaccia and Paola Giordano
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Maria Felicia Faienza: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Paediatric Section, University of Bari “A. Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
Giuseppe Lassandro: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Paediatric Section, University of Bari “A. Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
Mariangela Chiarito: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Paediatric Section, University of Bari “A. Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
Federica Valente: Section of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari, School of Medicine, 70124 Bari, Italy
Loredana Ciaccia: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Paediatric Section, University of Bari “A. Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
Paola Giordano: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Paediatric Section, University of Bari “A. Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 6, 1-9

Abstract: Bone remodeling is a lifelong process, due to the balanced activity of the osteoblasts (OBs), the bone-forming cells, and osteoclasts (OCs), the bone-resorbing cells. This equilibrium is mainly regulated by the WNT-ß-cathenin pathway and the RANK-RANKL/OPG system, respectively. Bone ageing is a process which normally occurs during life due to the imbalance between bone formation and bone resorption, potentially leading to osteoporosis. Bone loss associated with bone ageing is determined by oxidative stress, the result of the increasing production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The promotion of physical exercise during growth increases the chances of accruing bone and delaying the onset of osteoporosis. Several studies demonstrate that physical exercise is associated with higher bone mineral density and lower fracture incidence, and the resulting bone mineral gain is maintained with ageing, despite a reduction of physical activity in adulthood. The benefits of exercise are widely recognized, thus physical activity is considered the best non-pharmacologic treatment for pathologies such as osteoporosis, obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. We reviewed the physiological mechanisms which control bone remodeling, the effects of physical activity on bone health, and studies on the impact of exercise in reducing bone ageing.

Keywords: physical activity; bone health; childhood; ageing (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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