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Abstract
Introduction. Peak bone mass is achieved within the second to third decade of life 12. We conducted a longitudinal intervention study to determine the potential benefits of exercise during puberty to enhance bone mass accumulation in 218 females aged 9–13 years.
Methods. The exercise intervention group (n = 109) participated in 3 half-hour dance exercise classes per week. Both exerciser and control (n = 109) groups were assessed using calcaneal ultrasound densitometer (Paris, NORLAND) four times. Measurements of speed of sound (SOS) and broadband ultrasound attenuation were collected.
Results. At baseline, controls were significantly ( p ≤ 0.01) higher than exercisers for SOS measures. Four months after the first intervention program exercisers were significantly ( p ≤ 0.05) higher than controls, but this difference was not retained after the second 8-month program.
Discussion. Low adherence to the second year intervention and subsequent similar SOS levels between groups suggested that adherence to a regular exercise routine would be important for maintaining the osteogenic benefits of such an exercise intervention.
