The Effect of Swimming During Childhood and Adolescence on Bone Mineral Density: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

While swimming is associated with several health benefits, it does not appear to be an effective sport for improving BMD. Swimmers might be in need of additional osteogenic exercises for increasing BMD values.

Effects of post exercise protein supplementation on markers of bone turnover in adolescent swimmers

“…It is possible that 24 h may not be sufficiently long to see a significant change in PINP. On the other hand, the absence of a PINP response is in line with the notion that low-impact activities like swimming do not provide sufficient mechanical loading to stimulate bone formation in this age group [10], and this seems to be true irrespective of its high intensity and the supplementation. A previous study in adults reported an immediate increase in PINP following intense running with post-exercise consumption of a protein combined with a carbohydrate beverage [16].…”

“…However, the protein requirements for child athletes or highly active children are still unspecified due the lack of studies examining the effects of protein consumption on bone accrual and bone turnover in young athletes, who may have higher needs for protein than non-athletic youth. This may be crucial for young athletes in low-impact sports like swimming who are perceived at an increased risk for suboptimal peak bone mass development because swimming is not an activity typically associated with bonerelated benefits [10]. On the other hand, we recently demonstrated that in adults, low-impact exercise of higher intensity can lead to similar bone metabolism responses as high-impact exercise [11,12], but there is no study of such comparison in children and adolescents.…”

“…Furthermore, a systematic review of studies examining the effect of swimming on bone reported contradicting results, but overall, it seems that swimming does not stimulate bone growth above the habitual physical activity levels in children. In fact, a deleterious effect of swimming on bone mass has been suggested in some studies, due to the number of hours spent training in a low-impact activity [10]. A potential inadequate protein intake may exacerbate this deleterious effect on bone.…”

Effects of Whole Body Vibration on Tibia Strength and Structure of Competitive Adolescent Swimmers: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Swimming has been shown to have no effect on BMD in a recent meta‐analysis developed in adolescents [4]. Similarly, the effects of swimming on bone structure seem to be neutral, although the literature evaluating bone structure in this population is scarce [3].…”

Ariketa fisikoa hezur-dentsitate mineralaren suspertzaile

“…Adibidez, luzaroko jarduera aerobiko deritzen ariketek, hala nola igeriketak, bizikletan aritzeak eta ibiltzeak, zenbait seinalek agerian utzi dutenez, nonahiko onurak eragiten dituzte gorputz-sisteman; ez dute, ordea, eragin aipagarririk sustatzen hezurretan [32][33][34]. Hau da, modu erregularrean ibiltzea, adibidez, gaitasun aerobikoan, gantz-metaketan eta zenbait bihotz-faktoreren hobekuntzan mesedegarria den arren, ez da nahikoa hezurren osasuna optimizatzeko.…”