Physically Active Children Less Likely to Develop Fracture in Old Age

In order to develop healthy bones and lifestyles, children and young people need to focus on incorporating some exercise in their daily schedule. A latest study from Sweden states that physically active children are at a lower risk of developing fractures in old age. The findings are presented at the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine's Specialty Day in Chicago.

The study was conducted by researchers Bjorn Rosengren, M.D., PhD, and his colleagues at the Skane University Hospital. In order to prove the hypothesis, the researchers conducted a study on 2,395 Swedish children belonging to the age group 7-9 years in Malmo. The study was conducted for a period of six years. The intervention group that consisted of 362 girls and 446 boys were given 40 minutes of daily physical education at school. 

According to lead author Dr. Rosengren, the study highlights the fact that excercise intervention in childhood is linked with less fracture during old age, because the bone mass increases in growing kids who engage themselves in regular physical activity.

The control group consisted of 780 girls and 807 boys, who were given 60 minutes of physical education per week. The occurrence of fracture in all the participants, mainly the bone mineral density, and the size of femoral neck on the leg bone, was registered by the researchers, who also measured their skeletal development annually.

They noticed 72 fractures from the intervention group and 143 fractures in the control group. What was common in both the groups was the increase in the spine bone mineral density.

"Increased activity in the younger ages helped induce higher bone mass and improve skeletal size in girls without increasing the fracture risk. Our study highlights yet another reason why kids need to get regular daily exercise to improve their health both now and in the future," Dr. Rosengren said in a news release.