Healthy Bones Formed During Adolescence Save

An article in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research reports that physical activity during adolescence is an important determinant in bone strength. (Citation source http://buff.ly/2oph6vO)

Gabel and colleagues assessed the associations between physical activity, sedentary time, and bone strength during adolescence using HR-pQCT at distal tibia and radius in 173 girls and 136 boys with agest ranging from 9 to 20 years.

Moderate to vigorous physical activity was a positive independent predictor of bone strength and cortical porosity. Conversely, sedentary time or physical inactivity can lead to weaker bones in teenagers.

Between the ages of 10 to 14 for girls and 12 to 16 for boys, up to 36 percent of the skeleton is formed.

The authors identified age-related linkage between bone strength and activity with loading and unloading. It is unknown if these alterations during adolescence will persist into adulthood.