Results Physical activity was associated with numerous health benefits .
The dose-response relations observed in observational studies indicate that the more physical activity , the greater the health benefit .
Results from experimental studies indicate that even modest amounts of physical activity can have health benefits in high-risk youngsters ( e.g. , obese ) .
Vigorous intensity activities may provide even greater benefit .
Aerobic-based activities had the greatest health benefit , other than for bone health , in which case high-impact weight bearing activities were required .
Some of the health benefits can be achieved through an average of 30 minutes per day . [
Level 2 , Grade A ] .
Background The purpose was to : 1 ) perform a systematic review of studies examining the relation between physical activity , fitness , and health in school-aged children and youth , and 2 ) make recommendations based on the findings .
A school curriculum-based exercise program increases bone mineral accrual and bone size in prepubertal girls: two-year data from the pediatric osteoporosis prevention (POP) study.
UNLABELLED This 2-year prospect i ve controlled exercise intervention trial in 99 girls at Tanner stage 1 , evaluating a school curriculum-based training program on a population -based level , showed that the annual gain in BMC , aBMD , and bone size was greater in the intervention group than in the controls . INTRODUCTION Most exercise intervention studies in children , evaluating the accrual of BMD , include volunteers and use specifically design ed osteogenic exercise programs . The aim of this study was to evaluate a 2-year general school-based exercise intervention program in a population -based cohort of girls at Tanner stage 1 . MATERIAL S AND METHODS Forty-nine girls 7 - 9 years of age in grade s 1 and 2 in one school were included in a school curriculum-based exercise intervention program of general physical activity for 40 minutes per school day ( 200 minutes/week ) . Fifty healthy age-matched girls in three neighboring schools , assigned to the general Swedish school curriculum of physical activity ( 60 minutes/week ) , served as controls . All girls were premenarchal , remaining in Tanner stage 1 during the study . BMC ( g ) and areal BMD ( aBMD ; g/cm2 ) were measured with DXA of the total body ( TB ) , the lumbar spine ( L2-L4 vertebrae ) , the third lumbar vertebra ( L3 ) , the femoral neck ( FN ) , and the leg . Volumetric BMD ( vBMD ; g/cm3 ) and bone size were calculated at L3 and FN . Total lean body mass and total fat mass were estimated from the total body scan . Height and weight were also registered . Baseline measurements were performed before the intervention was initiated . Follow-up was done after 2 years . RESULTS No differences between the groups were found at baseline in age , anthropometrics , or bone parameters . The annual gain in BMC was greater in the intervention group than in the controls : L2-L4 , mean 3.8 percentage points ( p = 0.007 ) ; L3 vertebra , mean 7.2 percentage points ( p < 0.001 ) ; legs , mean 3.0 percentage points ( p = 0.07 ) . The intervention group had a greater annual gain in aBMD : total body , mean 0.6 percentage points ( p = 0.006 ) , L2-L4 , mean 1.2 percentage points ( p = 0.02 ) , L3 vertebra , mean 1.6 percentage points ( p = 0.006 ) ; legs , mean 1.2 percentage points ( p = 0.007 ) . There was also a greater mean annual gain in bone size in the L3 vertebra ( mean 1.8 percentage points ; p < 0.001 ) and in the FN ( mean 0.3 percentage points ; p = 0.02 ) . CONCLUSIONS A general school-based exercise program for 2 years for 7- to 9-year-old girls ( baseline ) enhances the accrual of BMC and BMD and increases bone size
Results Physical activity was associated with numerous health benefits .
The dose-response relations observed in observational studies indicate that the more physical activity , the greater the health benefit .
Results from experimental studies indicate that even modest amounts of physical activity can have health benefits in high-risk youngsters ( e.g. , obese ) .
Vigorous intensity activities may provide even greater benefit .
Aerobic-based activities had the greatest health benefit , other than for bone health , in which case high-impact weight bearing activities were required .
Some of the health benefits can be achieved through an average of 30 minutes per day . [
Level 2 , Grade A ] .
Background The purpose was to : 1 ) perform a systematic review of studies examining the relation between physical activity , fitness , and health in school-aged children and youth , and 2 ) make recommendations based on the findings .