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 ) .
The Effects of Exercise on Body Weight and Circulating Leptin in Premature Infants
OBJECTIVE : To assess the effect of daily movements on weight gain , serum leptin , and insulin-like growth factor I ( IGF-I ) in premature infants . STUDY DESIGN : Twenty very-low-birth-weight premature infants were matched and r and omized to a daily movement ( n=10 ) and control groups ( n=10 ) . Daily movement consisted of passive range of motion with gentle compression of both the upper and lower extremities 5 days per week for 4 weeks . RESULTS : Daily movements led to a significant increase in weight gain ( 784±51 vs 608±26 g in movements and controls , respectively , p<0.02 ) , and to a significant increase in leptin ( 0.60±0.19 vs 0.13±0.06 ng/ml in movements and controls , respectively , p<0.05 ) . Changes in body weight correlated with changes in serum leptin ( r=0.48 , p<0.03 ) . IGF-I also increased following daily movements ( 18.8±4.1 vs 9.2±4.1 ng/ml in movements and controls , respectively ) ; however , this increase was not statistically significant . CONCLUSION : A relatively brief range of motion daily movement intervention was associated with greater weight gain and increased leptin levels in very-low-birth-weight premature infants . This may suggest that at least part of the daily movements associated with increase in body weight result ed from an increase in adipose tissue
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 ) .