| [ Summary ] |
Mechanical stress plays an important role in enhancing bone health. Jumping exercises increase bone mineral content (BMC) in prepubescent children. Bone mineral density (BMD) is higher in adolescent athletes who are engaged in weight-bearing activities. Jumping exercise, muscle strengthening exercise, and weight-bearing plus muscle strengthening exercises increase BMD in young adults and premenopausal women. Walking, aerobic weight-bearing exercise, muscle strengthening exercise, and weight-bearing plus muscle strengthening exercises maintain or increase BMD in postmenopausal women. The purpose of exercises should be to focus on fall prevention rather than increasing BMD in older women. Although lifelong physical activity is important to prevent osteoporotic fractures, weight-bearing activities including jumping exercises during the growth period, particularly before menarche, are required to efficiently increase bone strength. |