Professional sport activity and micronutrients: effects on bone mass

J Endocrinol Invest. 2005;28(10 Suppl):52-60.

Abstract

Osteoporosis is the most prevalent metabolic bone disease among developed countries. Although bone mass and density are certainly determined by various concurrent factors such as genetics, hormones, life-style and the environment, and although the genetic program has a critical role in growth and in bone peak development, for their realization an adequate nutritional intake of nutrients and regular exercise are always necessary and may represent a way to prevent osteoporosis and fractures. Exercise and especially high-impact sport activity during growth and adolescence increases bone mineral density (BMD) in weight-loaded skeletal regions. Aerobics, weight bearing and resistance exercises may also be effective in increasing BMD in post-menopausal women. Even though most of the research on nutritional components has focused almost exclusively on calcium and vitamin D, there is now considerable interest in the effects of a variety of other nutrients on bone status.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biological Availability
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Bone Density / drug effects*
  • Bone Density / physiology
  • Bone and Bones / drug effects*
  • Bone and Bones / physiology
  • Calcium / pharmacokinetics
  • Diet
  • Dietary Proteins / administration & dosage
  • Exercise*
  • Fractures, Bone / physiopathology
  • Fractures, Bone / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Micronutrients / pharmacology*
  • Osteoporosis / physiopathology
  • Osteoporosis / prevention & control
  • Sports / physiology*
  • Vitamin D / pharmacokinetics

Substances

  • Dietary Proteins
  • Micronutrients
  • Vitamin D
  • Calcium