Dr. Betty Kamen, Ph.D.

Table Talk Health Hints

Nutrition Hints

from Betty Kamen, PhD, and Dr. Michael Rosenbaum, MD
Copyright © 2000-2007 by Nutrition Encounter, all rights reserved
May be redistributed only with full attribution
and a link to www.bettykamen.com
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Hint 2428: The high-impact tumbling of gymnastics may boost young girls' muscle mass and bone density. Girls who participate in artistic gymnastics have greater muscle mass and bone density than their peers whose activities are limited to gym class.

Gymnastics require particularly high-impact moves, unlike the moves practiced in rhythmic gymnastics.

Before they reach puberty, girls should take up activities that put some stress on the bones in order to strengthen them. Like muscle, bones respond to exercise by becoming stronger, particularly higher-impact activities like jumping and sprinting. The years before puberty are an especially opportune time to boost bone sensitivity with exercise.

The point is that building bone density from an early age may reduce their risk of the bone-thinning disease osteoporosis later in life. Any sports that include jumping, sprinting and rapid direction changes may aid in bone development. These include soccer, basketball, martial arts and lacrosse. (Swimming and bicycling, because they do not require the body to work against gravity, are not good bone-builders, although they do improve cardiovascular fitness.)

Source: International Journal of Sports Medicine, May 2007.