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Effect of a program of short bouts of exercise on bone health in adolescents involved in different sports

Final Report Summary - PRO-BONE (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.