Artistic gymnastics in youth and bone mineral density retention in adulthood – a strategy for the prevention of osteoporosis? A narrative review of the literature
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33233/rbfex.v21i2.5185Keywords:
aging; osteopenia; bone; DXA; sports; healthAbstract
Osteoporosis affects a large part of the elderly population and leads to functional limitations. The practice of physical activity can delay osteoporosis, especially when it involves great demands of force and impact, but advanced osteopenia is hardly reversed. The main contribution of exercise seems to be in youth, through the maximization of bone mineral density (BMD) peaks. Studies on retention of BMD in adulthood in response to different physical activities are needed. Artistic gymnastics (AG) fits the profile of activities with high osteogenic potential, with movements that combine strength and impact (jumping, etc). Children and adolescents who practice AG tend to exhibit high BMD peaks. The present narrative review analyzed the literature on BMD retention resulting from the practice of AG in middle-aged and older individuals. The available evidence suggests that: a) from an early age, children, and adolescents who practice competitive AG exhibit higher levels of BMD vs. individuals of equivalent age physically inactive or practicing other sports; b) the few comparative studies that investigated the potential for BMD retention due to the practice of AG in youth, indicate that, at least until middle age, former gymnasts of both sexes tend to exhibit greater bone mass than the general population. Despite these promising results, there is a lack of research on BMD retention in older adults who practiced competitive AG in their youth. This would be important since it is in this age range that advanced osteopenia occurs and a higher prevalence of osteoporosis is effectively observed.
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