PRO-BONE · Effect of a program of short bouts of exercise on bone health in adolescents involved in different sports
FP7 — People (Marie Curie Actions)
- Duration
- 2014-04-01 → 2018-03-31
- EU contribution
- €100,000
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MC-CIG
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Effect of a program of short bouts of exercise on bone health in adolescents involved in different sports
Osteoporosis is a common condition which makes bone weak, brittle and more likely to break. Approximately 200 million people are affected by osteoporosis worldwide and the prevalence is expected to increase due to an aging population. By 2050, the worldwide incidence of hip fractures is projected to increase by 310% and 240% in men and women, respectively. This progressive illness is difficult to treat and so prevention is considered to be the most effective approach. In this regard, bone mass acquisition during growth represents a key factor of osteoporosis risk later in life. Therefore, understanding and identifying the factors that contribute to maximising bone mass during growth is of great importance and has been the Principal Investigator´s line of research over the last few years. In 2012, the Principal Investigator got a permanent position as Lecturer at the prestigious University of Exeter (UK) and in 2013/14 he was awarded a "Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship" from the European Commission (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-CIG) to develop the PRO-BONE study. The present grant has allowed the Principal Investigator to further investigate on the benefits of sport participation on bone outcomes within the Department of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Exeter. The PRO-BONE study aimed to investigate the effects of participation in football (osteogenic sport), swimming and cycling (non-osteogenic sports) on bone mass, bone geometry, texture and bone metabolism in adolescent males. An active control group was included. Additionally, the PRO-BONE study examined the effect of a 9-month jumping intervention programme on bone outcomes in adolescent males involved these sports. Overall, findings showed that footballers had better bone status than swimmers, cyclists and controls, and that there are no differences between participants of non-osteogenic sports and controls. We identified lean mass as the strongest determinant of bone outcomes. The 9-month jumping intervention was only successful in those engaged in swimming and cycling but not in those engaged in football. The PRO-BONE study provides useful and applied evidence for sports clubs, schools, policy makers and civil society regarding the impact of some of the most popular sports in Europe (and the world) on bone health. A PhD has been completed with data obtained from PRO-BONE and findings have been used to develop teaching sessions at both Undergraduate and Postgraduate level at University of Exeter. The Principal Investigator has now taken a role as Senior Research Fellow at the University of Granada (Spain) to continue his research in the paediatrics and sport sciences areas.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
Osteoporosis is a common health problem associated with high morbidity, mortality and economic costs in older people, and prevention remains the most effective approach. Exercise is an evidence-based approach because of its impact on bone development, maintenance and strength but not all forms of exercise appear to strengthen bone. Further research is therefore needed to explore the role of short bouts of weight bearing exercise, that are acceptable to and feasible for adolescents, to supplement involvement in non-osteogenic activities. Plyometric jump training has been suggested as such exercise but the effects on adolescent bone health and associated metabolic processes have not been rigorously assessed.The aim of project PRO-BONE is to therefore longitudinally assess bone health and its metabolism in adolescents engaged in osteogenic (football) and non-osteogenic (cycling and swimming) sports and then examine the effect of a short and inexpensive plyometric jump training programme on these outcomes.Eighty-four male adolescents (12-14 yr) will be recruited as follows: footballers (n=24), cyclists (n=24), swimmers (n=24) and controls (n=12). Footballers, cyclists and swimmers will be randomly assigned in 2 subgroups (e.g.: intervention cyclists and control cyclists). Only intervention groups will perform the plyometric jump training [9 months, ~10 min/day, 3 to 4 times/ week (depending on progression)]. Body composition, fitness, nutrition, physical activity, anthropometry and serum bone turnover will be measured.The benefits are associated with PRO-BONE are: early detection of poor bone health, improved bone mineralization development during growth and contribution to Gracia-Marco’s development and integration at Exeter.Research will be hosted at the research-intensive University of Exeter (UK), in the Children’s Health and Exercise Research Centre (recognised for its international excellence), where Gracia-Marco is in a permanent full-time post as a Lecturer
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- THE UNIVERSITY OF EXETER · ExeterCoordinatorUnited Kingdom
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union