Bone Health · Bone Mineral Density

Augmented trochanteric bone mineral density after modified physical education classes: a randomized school-based exercise intervention study in prepubescent and early pubescent children

McKay HA, Petit MA, Schutz RW, Prior JC, Barr SI, Khan KM

Published February 5, 2000 The Journal of Pediatrics, 136(2), 156-162
DOI 10.1016/s0022-3476(00)70095-3 PMID 10657819

Abstract

Background

Of the few exercise intervention studies focusing on pediatric populations, none have confined the intervention to the scheduled physical education curriculum.

Objective

To examine the effect of an 8-month school-based jumping program on the change in areal bone mineral density (aBMD), in grams per square centimeter, of healthy thirdand fourth-grade children.

Study Design

Ten elementary schools were randomized to exercise (n = 63) and control groups (n = 81). Exercise groups did 10 tuck jumps 3 times weekly and incorporated jumping, hopping, and skipping into twice weekly physical education classes. Control groups did regular physical education classes. At baseline and after 8 months of intervention, we measured aBMD and lean and fat mass by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (Hologic QDR-4500). Calcium intake, physical activity, and maturity were estimated by questionnaire.

Results

The exercise group showed significantly greater change in femoral trochanteric aBMD (4.4% vs 3.2%; P <.05). There were no group differences at other sites. Results were similar after controlling for covariates (baseline aBMD change in height, change in lean, calcium, physical activity, sex, and ethnicity) in hierarchical regression.

Conclusions

An easily implemented school-based jumping intervention augments aBMD at the trochanteric region in the prepubertal and early pubertal skeleton.

Topics

By this author

Related research

Bone Health › Bone Mineral Density › Peak Bone Mass · Lifestyle and Environment › Physical Activity › Athletes and Energy Availability
Jerilynn C Prior, Susan I Barr
J Prior, Sue Barr, S Barr
PMID 10657819 10657819 DOI 10.1016/s0022-3476(00)70095-3 10.1016/s0022-3476(00)70095-3 McKay et al. 2000, McKay 2000

Cite this article

McKay, H. A., Petit, M. A., Schutz, R. W., Prior, J. C., Barr, S. I., & Khan, K. M. (2000). Augmented trochanteric bone mineral density after modified physical education classes: a randomized school-based exercise intervention study in prepubescent and early pubescent children. The Journal of Pediatrics, 136(2), 156-162. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0022-3476(00)70095-3