Better bone health in children and adolescents represents better performance in physical fitness

Fuentes-López J.; Vidal-Espinoza R.; Callata-Gallegos Z.; Supo-Gutiérrez J.; Gómez-Campos R.; Urra-Albornoz C.; Castelli-Correia de Campos L.F.; Sulla-Torres J.; Cossio-Bolaños M. · Nutricion Hospitalaria (2025) · DOI: 10.20960/nh.05860

Resumen

Introduction: childhood and adolescence are the ideal time for the prevention of adequate bone health. Its evaluation in the school environment is important, since different levels of musculoskeletal health are related to bone mineral density. Objective: to verify if there are differences in physical fitness in children and adolescents categorized as having low, adequate and high bone health. Methodology: a cross-sectional study was developed in 704 males and 714 females (1418 schoolchildren) from a high-altitude region. Anthro-pometry was assessed: weight, height, physical tests [hand grip strength (HGS), horizontal jump (HJ), agility, and aerobic fitness (6MWT)]. Bone health from quantitative ultrasonography (QUS) of calcaneus [measured parameter was speed of sound (SOS, m/s)]. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Three bone health groups were formed: low, moderate and high altitude. Results: at the primary level, no significant differences were found in the physical tests between the three bone health groups. Although, schoolchildren with high bone health (HBH) showed a slight performance. At the secondary level, and specifically in males, there were no significant differences in physical performance (HGS and 6MWT) between the categories low bone health (LBH) vs adequate bone health (ABH). However, in HJ and agility there were significant differences. In females, there were significant differences in the HJ and 6MWT test. The relationships observed between chronological age and broadband ultrasonic attenuation (BUA) in both sexes were positive and moderate (r = 0.47 in males and r = 0.65 in females). In addition, there were mild to moderate positive correlations in the HGS, HJ and 6MWT tests (r = 0.22 to 0.50, p < 0.05) and negative with the agility test (r =-0.30 to-0.39, p < 0.05). Conclusion: the results show that good bone health is related to better physical performance. Having a high bone health status (LBH) is associated with better physical performance. While an adequate bone health status (ABH) does not always outperform high bone health (HBH). These results suggest promoting healthy habits to favor bone health from an early age.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional del Altiplano; Universidad Católica de Santa María