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Studies about health at Oregon State University do not focus only on young athletes. People of all life styles - throughout life - benefit from the results of OSU's nationally recognized research programs in the University's diverse health-related fields. - Osteoporosis Prevention |
Children as young as 7-8 years old can significantly increase bone mass through a brief, specific exercise regimen. This may help them "bank" extra bone to prevent osteoporosis when they are much older, according to a study at Oregon State University.
The critical component, researchers say, is "impact loading" exercises that boost bone mass in a targeted area - especially the hips.
In the study, volunteers jumped off two-foot boxes 100 times, three times a week for seven months. The result: they had more than 5 percent higher bone mass than a control group who used the time for stretching and non-impact exercise.
"A 5.6 percent increase translates into a 30 percent decrease in the risk of a hip fracture at adulthood," says Christine Snow, director of the OSU Bone Research Laboratory and principal investigator in the study.
Snow received a major three-year, $400,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to follow up with a more comprehensive research project. She hopes to determine whether children maintain that edge when the activity ceases, and whether there is any increase in bone mass in the spine.
The researchers will also evaluate the bone density of parent volunteers, to find out the contribution of genetics.
"The jumps take only 10 minutes - easy to incorporate into a school's schedule," Snow says. "We also teach the kids about skeletal systems, and the importance of exercise, fitness and nutrition."
During the last 10 years, OSU has developed a nationally recognized program in bone research and exercise. Much of the research indicates that the best way to increase bone mass in the hips is through high-impact exercise.
"It is increasingly evident that the best method for preventing osteoporosis is to bank bone mass in childhood, and maintain as much as you can through your adult years," Snow says.
Each year, some 300,000 elderly Americans suffer hip fractures, leading to hospitalization, incapacitation, and even death. It is a painful $14 billion annual health care problem.
The Bone Research Program estimates if their efforts lead to a decrease in hip fractures in older Oregonians by as little as 10%, a reduction in state health care costs in excess of $16 million per year would be realized, in addition to minimizing pain and suffering of many.
National caliber research about osteoporosis prevention, conducted in our own backyard, is being applied by Oregonians statewide.
Over 2,000 residents already have taken advantage of some recent results from OSU's Bone Density Research Laboratory. People have been eager to participate in university-developed study groups, exercise classes, and training seminars.
The OSU studies have shown that postmenopausal women can vastly strengthen their ankles, knees and hips, by going through a series of exercises wearing weighted vests. The exercises maintain or slightly increase their bone mass, and they significantly improve their balance, decreasing their risk of falling. These results offset the potentially crippling disease osteoporosis.
Interest in the research has come from community colleges, fitness centers, senior centers, and hospitals. Fitness practitioners are being trained so they can launch their own classes and programs around the state.
Oregon State University Research Office
312 Kerr Administration Building, Corvallis, OR 97331
Phone 541-737-3467 Fax 541-737-9041
researchsupport@oregonstate.edu
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