Levels of Physical Activity That Predict Optimal Bone Mass in Adolescents: The HELENA Study

BackgroundPhysical activity is necessary for bone mass development in adolescence. There are few studies quantifying the associations between physical activity and bone mass in adolescents.PurposeTo assess the relationship between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and vigorous physical activity (VPA) and bone mass in adolescents.MethodsBone mass was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and physical activity by accelerometers in 380 healthy Spanish adolescents (189 boys, aged 12.5-17.5 years) from the HELENA-CSS (2006-2007). Subjects were classified according to the recommended amount of MVPA (<60 minutes or ≥60 minutes of MVPA/day). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was applied to calculate the relationship between physical activity and bone mass.ResultsLess than 41 and 45 minutes of MVPA/day are associated with reduced bone mass at the trochanter and femoral neck. More than 78 minutes of MVPA/day is associated with increased bone mineral density (BMD) at the femoral neck. Regarding VPA, more than 28 minutes/day for the hip and intertrochanter and more than 32 minutes/day for the femoral neck are associated with increased BMD.ConclusionsThe recommended amount of physical activity (minutes/day) seems insufficient to guarantee increased bone mass. With some minutes of VPA/day, bone adaptations could be obtained at different bone sites.