Some evidence suggests that physical activity programs might promote short-term weight gain and bone mineralization in preterm infants .
Current evidence does not support the routine use of physical activity programs in preterm infants .
BACKGROUND Lack of physical stimulation may contribute to metabolic bone disease of preterm infants , result ing in poor bone mineralization and growth .
Physical activity programs combined with adequate nutrition might help to promote bone mineralization and growth .
OBJECTIVES The primary objective was to assess whether physical activity programs in preterm infants  improve bone mineralization and growth and reduce the risk of fracture .
Subgroup analysis : • Given that the smallest infants are most vulnerable for developing osteopenia ( Bishop 1999 ) , a subgroup analysis was planned for infants with birth weight < 1000 g.•  Calcium and phosphorus intake may affect an infant 's ability to increase bone mineral content ( Kuschel 2004 ) .
Early physical activity intervention prevents decrease of bone strength in very low birth weight infants.
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of early range-of-motion intervention on bone strength and bone turnover in very low birth weight infants . METHODS Twenty-four infants ( mean birth weight : 1135 + /- 247 g ; mean gestational age : 28.5 + /- 2.3 weeks ) were matched for gestational age and birth weight and then r and omly assigned into exercise ( n = 12 ) and control ( n = 12 ) groups . Exercise protocol started at the first week of life and involved daily extension and flexion range of motion against passive resistance of the upper and lower extremities ( 5 minutes per day , 5 days per week , 4 weeks ) . Growth parameters , bone strength , and biochemical markers of bone homeostasis were measured at enrollment and after 4 weeks . Bone strength was determined using quantitative ultrasound measurement of bone speed of sound ( SOS ) at the middle left tibial shaft . RESULTS Bone SOS decreased significantly in the control group during the study period ( from 2892 + /- 30 m/sec to 2799 + /- 26 ) , whereas bone SOS of the exercise group remained stable ( 2825 + /- 32 m/sec and 2827 + /- 26 m/sec at baseline and 4 weeks , respectively ) . This significant difference in bone SOS was not expressed in the biochemical markers of bone homeostasis . CONCLUSIONS There is a significant postnatal decrease in the bone SOS of very low birth weight infants . A brief range-of-motion exercise attenuates the decrease in bone strength and may decrease the risk of osteopenia
Some evidence suggests that physical activity programs might promote short-term weight gain and bone mineralization in preterm infants .
Current evidence does not support the routine use of physical activity programs in preterm infants .
BACKGROUND Lack of physical stimulation may contribute to metabolic bone disease of preterm infants , result ing in poor bone mineralization and growth .
Physical activity programs combined with adequate nutrition might help to promote bone mineralization and growth .
OBJECTIVES The primary objective was to assess whether physical activity programs in preterm infants  improve bone mineralization and growth and reduce the risk of fracture .
Subgroup analysis : • Given that the smallest infants are most vulnerable for developing osteopenia ( Bishop 1999 ) , a subgroup analysis was planned for infants with birth weight < 1000 g.•  Calcium and phosphorus intake may affect an infant 's ability to increase bone mineral content ( Kuschel 2004 ) .