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 ) .
Assisted exercise improves bone strength in very low birthweight infants by bone quantitative ultrasound.
AIM To evaluate whether assisted exercise could prevent the development of osteopenia of prematurity , we performed assisted exercise in the study group of very low birthweight ( VLBW ) premature infants . METHODS Sixteen premature infants with birthweight below 1500 g were enrolled in this study and r and omly assigned into the exercise ( n = 8) and control ( n = 8) groups . Assisted exercise involved full extension and flexion range of motion of the upper and lower extremities by a trained nurse with a schedule of 5 days a week for a total of 4 weeks . Bone strength was determined by quantitative ultrasound measurement of tibial bone speed of sound every 2 weeks during the study period . RESULTS No difference in gender , birthweight , and gestation age between the exercise and control groups was noted . There was statistically significant less tibial bone speed of sound decrease in the exercise group on the sixth and eighth week of life . During the study period , there were no statistically significant differences in blood biochemistry data , including calcium , phosphorus , magnesium , alkaline phosphatase , osteocalcin and osteoprotegerin , between the two groups . CONCLUSIONS This study revealed that early assisted exercise could improve bone strength in very low birthweight infants . The biochemical markers of bone metabolism , osteocalcin and osteoprotegerin , could not be the indicators for early diagnosis of osteopenia of prematurity
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 ) .