[ Summary ] |
Exercise plays an important role in the maintenance of bone health. Increased mechanical loading by exercise increases bone modeling or bone formation (mainly during the growth phase) and decreases bone remodeling or bone resorption (mainly under the estrogen deficiency). During the growth phase, jumping exercise before puberty (menarche in girls) is effective for increasing bone mineral content. Among adolescents, athletes who are engaged in sports such as gymnastics and ball games show higher bone mineral density (BMD). Among premenopausal women, jumping exercise, muscle strengthening exercise, and combined exercise (weight-bearing exercise + muscle strengthening exercise) increases BMD. Among postmenopausal women, walking, aerobic exercise, muscle strengthening exercise, and combined exercise (weight-bearing exercise + muscle strengthening exercise) preserves or increases BMD. Appropriate exercises need to be continued with high compliance in order to obtain the beneficial effect of exercise on bone health. |