A Pick-Up Game Now May Mean Healthier Bones Later

Main Category: Bones / Orthopedics
Article Date: 15 Oct 2004 - 0:00 PDT


There might be more to sports in college than building team spirit and camaraderie. According to a study of college-aged students (ages 17-21), young Caucasian adults may require more moderate to vigorous physical activity, such as sports, than is currently recommended for overall health and to help reduce the risk of osteoporosis. The data are from the Tufts Longitudinal Health Study, an ongoing study that is researching the relationships between health knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and physiologic outcomes of college-age students over time.

Osteoporosis, a disease characterized by low-bone density, can lead to debilitating injuries, but often progresses undetected for years before symptoms appear. Weight-bearing exercise, particularly in the first three decades of life, is key to preventing it. Yet, one national survey reported that only 38% of college students in the US engage in vigorous activity and 20% engage in moderate physical activity.

"We know that life transitions, like entering college, represent an opportunity to influence physical activity," said Christina Economos, PhD, assistant professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts. "And we know that weight-bearing physical activity is critical to preventing osteoporosis. We found that sports participation and weight training are associated with a stronger bone stiffness for both men and women. Bone stiffness is related to bone strength and higher bone stiffness is associated with lower risk for osteoporosis."

Economos and a colleague examined the relationship between skeletal status and physical activity in a group of 235 college students between the ages of 17 and 21. The study examined how participation in different physical activities affected bone health in men and women.

Both moderate and vigorous sports participation, as well as weightlifting, were associated with higher bone stiffness in both men and women. Muscle mass and strength affected bone quality differently in men and women, but taking part in physical activity improved bone stiffness in both groups. The vigorous sports, such as soccer, basketball, ultimate Frisbee, baseball, cheerleading and rugby were clearly weight-bearing and high-impact activities which are known to reduce the risk of osteoporosis. However, participation in moderate sports, such as leisure volleyball, golf, and doubles tennis, was also found to be associated with increased bone quality, but this effect among women was much lower than the effect of vigorous sports.

Economos, who is also associate director of the John Hancock Center for Physical Activity and Nutrition at Tufts, noted, "Our study showed that young people should be encouraged to participate more in sports of all kinds -- whether they play on a varsity team or just get into the habit of participating in intramural or pick up games -- the difference may be health benefits for years to come."

Wetter, A., Economos, C., Osteoporosis International, 2004, 15: 799-806. "Relationship between quantitative ultrasound, anthropometry and sports participation in college aged adults."

Research news from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University

Contact: Siobhan Gallagher
siobhan.gallagher@tufts.edu
617-636-6586
Tufts University

If you are interested in hearing more about any of the studies or speaking with a member of the faculty of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy or another Tufts health sciences researcher, please contact Siobhan Gallagher via email at Siobhan.Gallagher@tufts.edu or by calling 617-636-6586.

The Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University is the only independent school of nutrition in the United States. The school's eight centers, which focus on questions relating to famine, hunger, poverty, and communications, are renowned for the application of scientific research to national and international policy. For two decades, the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University has studied the relationship between good nutrition and good health in aging populations. Tufts research scientists work with federal agencies to establish the USDA Dietary Guidelines, the Dietary Reference Intakes, and other significant public policies.

• Additional
• References
• Citations