Changes in morphometric parameters of bone tissue due tophysical exercise: a systematic review

It is known that physical exercise can influence the morphometry of bone tissue. Thisinfluence depends on the intensity, frequency, duration and mode of exercise. However, these aspects arenot well described in literature. Futhermore, morphometric parameters for the study of bone tissue are moresuitable to investigate this effect. Given these uncertainties, we intend to investigate the effects of exercise inbone morphometry. Materials and methods: For this study, we performed a systematic search of articles inPUBMED, MEDLINE, OLD MEDLINE, SciELO and LILACS. We used the keywords: “morphometry”,“physical exercise” and “bone”. Results: Initially we found a total of 40 articles. Articles in which animalswere submitted to pharmacological or surgery intervention as well as those where rats had some disease orhormonal alteration were excluded. After selection according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, only threearticles remained. Discussion: Newhall, Kenneth, Marjoleine et al. (1991) investigated the effects of exercisein a non-systematic way, with no definitions of exercise parameters. It is suggested that various features ofphysical exercise, besides intensity, can influence on bone mechanical properties. The results of this researchshow the need to establish defined standards concerning the mode, intensity, frequency and duration ofexercise. Conclusion: It was not possible to determine which morphometric parameters are the best torepresent these changes. More studies in this area are suggested in order to comprehend the influence ofphysical exercise on bone tissue.