ABSTRACT
Obtention of an optimal peak bone mass decreases the risk of osteoporosis in adult life. An increase of physical activity favors bone mineralization in adults. However, in teenagers sports that could delay puberty can delay bone mineralization, while sports with a normal caloric intake favor mineralization. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of intensity of physical activity and the type of sport, upon bone mineralization before and during puberty. A sample of 144 normal school age children of both sexes aged 7 to 14 years, practicing various degrees of physical activity, was selected. Bone mineral density (BMD) of whole body, spine and hip was measured with a dual photon absorptiometry densitometer and compared with values of normal school children of similar ages. A better adequation of BMD of whole body and spine in school age children with increased physical activity was detected. Prepuberal female gymnasts had decreased BMD of whole body. Puberal school age children with decrease physical activity had diminished BMD. These results led us conclude that physical activity favors bone mineralization in spine and hip, specially during puberty.
