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The effect of physical activity and its interaction with nutrition on bone health

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 March 2007

Niamh M. Murphy  and
Paula Carroll
Niamh M. Murphy*
Affiliation:
Centre for Health Behaviour Research, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Republic of Ireland
Paula Carroll
Affiliation:
Centre for Health Behaviour Research, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Republic of Ireland
*
*Corresponding author: Dr Niamh Murphy, fax +353 51 378292, nmurphy@wit.ie
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Abstract

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Physical activity (PA) is a popular therapy for the prevention and treatment of bone loss and osteoporosis because it has no adverse side effects, it is low cost, and it confers additional benefits such as postural stability and fall prevention. Bone mass is regulated by mechanical loading, and is limited but not controlled by diet. The mechanism by which strain thresholds turn bone remodelling ‘on’ and ‘off ’ is known as the mechanostat theory. Research in animals has shown that optimal strains are dynamic, with a high change rate, an unusual distribution and a high magnitude of strain, but the results of randomized controlled trials in human subjects have been somewhat equivocal. In the absence of weight-bearing activity nutritional or endocrine interventions cannot maintain bone mass. Biochemical markers of bone turnover predict bone mass changes, and findings from our research group and others have shown that both acute and chronic exercise can reduce bone resorption. Similarly, Ca intervention studies have shown that supplementation can reduce bone resorption. Several recent meta-analytical reviews concur that changes in bone mass with exercise are typically 2–3%. Some of these studies suggest that Ca intake may influence the impact of PA on bone, with greater effects in Ca-replete subjects. Comparative studies between Asian (high PA, low Ca intake) and US populations (low PA, high Ca intake) suggest that PA may permit an adaptation to low Ca intakes. Whether Ca and PA interact synergistically is one of the most important questions unanswered in the area of lifestyle-related bone health research.

Keywords

Physical activityCalciumBone massBone turnover
Type
Meeting Report
Information
Proceedings of the Nutrition Society , Volume 62 , Issue 4 , November 2003 , pp. 829 - 838
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 2003

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