Effects of Physical Exercise on Whole-Body Bone Mineral Density in Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 12 studies.
PubMed 41123070 · doi:10.1177/19417381251374976
What was done
Authors systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed literature from six databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, EBSCOhost, Cochrane, Scopus) published between 1991 and 2025 assessing the effects of physical exercise on whole-body bone mineral density (BMD) in adolescents. Twelve studies totaling 1845 participants were included. Data were extracted following Cochrane Handbook guidelines and analyzed with Review Manager software, with publication bias assessed via funnel plots.
What was found
Physical exercise significantly increased whole-body BMD in adolescents (pooled effect size of mean difference: 0.06; 95% CI, 0.04 to 0.09; P < 0.001). Whole-body BMD improvements occurred in both sexes but were more pronounced in boys (P < 0.001) than in girls (P = 0.002). High-impact and weightbearing sports (basketball, soccer, ice hockey, boxing) significantly enhanced whole-body BMD, nonweightbearing exercise (swimming) had a weaker effect, and judo showed no significant effect (no numerical effect sizes provided for subgroups).
Why it matters
This review identifies that impact-loading exercise during adolescence optimizes whole-body peak bone mass, providing clear direction for physical education and youth sports programming.
Limits
The abstract does not report individual study designs (e.g., whether non-randomized designs were included), baseline participant characteristics, duration or frequency of exercise interventions, or numerical effect sizes and confidence intervals for specific exercise modalities.
Cited by
- supports High-impact physical activities performed during youth promote greater bone mass accumulation and bone density.