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 ) .
Effects of motor physical therapy on bone mineralization in premature infants: a randomized controlled study
Objective : To study the effect of physical therapy on bone mineralization , weight gain and growth in preterm infants . Method : After fulfilling the inclusion criteria , preterm infants were matched for gestational age and birth weight and then r and omly assigned to the physiotherapy group ( PG , n=15 ) and control group ( CG , n=14 ) . The PG received motor physical therapy for 15 min daily , 5 times per week until hospital discharge . Bone mineralization was measured by total body dual energy X-ray beam absorptiometry ( DEXA ) at the onset and end of the study . Statistical analysis was realized by ANCOVA and linear correlation tests . Result : The physical therapy group ( PG ) presented greater body weight gain per day ( 27.4±2.4 vs 21.01±4.4 g , P<0.001 ) and length ( 1.3±0.3 vs 0.8±0.2 cm week−1 , P<0.001 ) than did the control group ( CG ) . Body composition values verified by DEXA were greater for the PG . The mean gain in bone mineral content ( BMC ) ( mg ) was greater in the PG ( 434±247.5 vs −8.9±11.4 , P<0.001 ) , as was the mean bone mineral density ( BMD ) gain ( mg cm−2 ) ( 8.4±5.6 vs −3.1±5.5 , P<0.001 ) . The gain in bone area ( BA , cm2 ) was 10.3±5 in the PG vs 1.5 ±2 in the CG ( P<0.001 ) . The gain in lean mass ( LM ) ( g ) in the PG was also greater than in the CG ( 271.1±21.4 vs 109.1±1.0 , P<0.009 ) . The fat mass ( g ) was similar between the groups ( P=0.432 ) . Conclusion : These results showed that physiotherapy in preterm infants  produced greater gains in growth , body weight , BMC , BMD , BA and LM
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 ) .