Kids’ Exercise May Protect from Bone Breaks Later in Life
New research from the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine suggests children that participate in regular exercise have been shown to develop stronger bones and are less likely to fracture their bones later in life. In addition to promoting a healthy sense of team spirit and competition, physical activity is also important to help children maintain optimal health and reduce their risk of broken bones.
The Skane University Study
The six year study conducted at Skane University Hospital in Malmo, Sweden revealed that children who participated in at least 40 minutes of physical activity each day before, during, or after school were half as likely to report a broken bone than children who got just 60 minutes of exercise per week. The study was conducted on 446 boys and 362 girls, and the findings suggested a link between regular daily exercise, higher bone density, and reduced risk of fractures.
Kids’ Exercise Leads to Lower Fracture Risk & Higher Spinal Bone Density
Kids who exercise develop stronger bones due to higher levels of physical activity than their inactive counterparts. Females in the study exhibited much higher spinal bone density in addition to the reduced risk of fractures, and males also exhibited an increase in overall bone density. According to Bjorn Rosengren, M.D., PhD, and author of the Skane University Hospital study, “Our study highlights yet another reason why kids need to get regular daily exercise to improve their health both now and in the future.”
Recommended Amount of Daily Exercise for Children
This new research suggests that children should get 40-60 minutes of exercise each day to maintain optimal bone strength and health. As children age, they have a tendency to become less active, so parents should be cognizant of their child’s activity level and encourage exercise, team sports, or other physical activities to keep kids healthy and active.