Can Bone Density in Children be Increased with Physical Exercise - Case Study Example

 CAN BONE DENSITY IN CHILDREN INCREASE WITH PHYSICAL EXERCISE TO BOOST PEAK BONE MASS ATTAINED? Summary A person’s peak bone producing is prevalent during their early ages making it the most important time for people to take control. Physical exercise and standard dietary habits should be among the core practices of children as a way of building strong bones that will be of great significance when their age. With increased peak bone-mass and generally strong bones, a child eliminates some of the most critical risks that the elders of today experience i.e. fractures from osteoporosis. The chief aim of this project is making a comprehensive evaluation of the impact of physical exercises on children as the foundation for establishing whether they can apply in boosting peak bone mass. Among the main requirements of the study is a clinical study of controlled group of mixed gender children between 11and 15 years. The project will take up to three years where around a hundred children, as the main participants, engage in physical exercises following a similar routine. The main features of the physical exercises will include cardiovascular exercise, muscle strengthening and body weight exercises. Moreover, dietary habits and lifestyle will also be part of the core elements observed to eliminate any form of variations between the children. The summary findings of the project will entail making quantitative measurements of the children’s bone density using a digital x-ray radiogrammetry (DXR) and their analysis will apply primarily in determine whether the controlled physical activity increases bone mass that might act as a boost of the peak bone mass. Background Significantly, bones form the foundation for the growth of every child’s physical stature and most people are not aware that they change frequently based on factors such as nutrition, work rate and other practices that affect the strength of the bones (Greg, 2008). Under the scientific context, bones are a form of tissue that starts developing during childhood and goes on through adolescence as the most significant stages. During these periods, the skeleton increases in size and density making up the bone mass. A normal person, following the common routines in diet and minimal work out hours has the bone mass peaking during the late years of their youth. The bone mass reaching its peak is an indicator that there is no more room for development in terms of development and strength (Shedden, 2014). Most of the research, experiments and theories suggest that acquisition of most peak bone mass for the female and male gender is between 18 and 20 years making this a significant period for the children. Among the core suggestions of increasing bones’ density is the ingestion of calcium and other minerals that play a key role even before a child is born (Greg, 2008). In fact, most physicians associate low birth weight with the lack of sufficient calcium and other nutritional minerals leading to the low bone-mass later after the child has grown. This is among the core issues that affect the bone density of children and after reaching 20years, the peak bone mass they attain is in low quantities (Mark, 2012). Relative to implications of decreased bone density is osteoporosis that increases the risk of fracture by affecting bone mass and bone quality. However, this is not prevalent among children because like most bone density related risks, it affects them at a later age and they are prone to fractures even from the less strenuous activities (Langman, 2014). The most exposed parts of the body to osteoporosis are the hip, wrist, spine and joints; however, the condition can affect any bone since bone density is similar throughout the body. Overall, getting fractures in such sensitive parts definitely makes the victims disabled (Cauley, 2014). In the US alone, over 50 million citizens have osteoporosis or are most likely to get it because of insufficient bone mass, as shown in figure 1). According to recent cases, osteoporosis has become prevalent and can strike at any phase; however, its prevalence and development progresses as people age (Kaye, 2014). Most people do not give much concern of osteoporosis because Asian and Hispanic women are the common victims of its effects with statistics showing that African Americans face lower risks while the other ethnic groups face sub-standard risks (Cauley, 2014). Health repercussions are not the only demerits of osteoporosis, as it requires extended financial input, uses up much time and restricts capabilities of people, especially for those with fractures. In other cases, some of the relatives have to give up their jobs and stay home taking care of the disabled. Physicians and doctors agree that the hip fracture is the worst fracture resulting from osteoporosis since it requires surgery, a long period of hospitalization and prolonged therapy after the necessary treatment (Shedden, 2014). Mainly, it disrupts the life of the victims since walking becomes hard even with support. Most of the people usually give up walking again by avoiding therapy and preferring the use of wheelchair. The thought of such a situation is disturbing but the worst part of the osteoporosis is the medical complications that follow; in fact, a significant number of people are victims of death a few months or years after fracturing the spine or hip. (Figure 2 shows the probabilities of osteoporotic fractures at different ages) The vast discussion creates a comprehensive foundation for the need of increasing bone density at an early age for the boosting of peak bone mass. The topic of physical activity does not appear in most research relative to nutrition; in fact, most people undervalue its impact (Langman, 2014). Naturally, there is a strong link between strength and bone in men with athletes and regular exercisers being the most strongest. According to other articles, before reaching adolescence, the bone mass of girls relates strongly with their muscle’s mass, especially those that take long works, jog or even work out in the gym (Mark, 2012). Scientific Methodology The scope of the project is to evaluate the impact of physical exercise on children’s bone density as a booster of the peak bone mass they attain. The comprehensive development of the human skeleton has multiple requirements such as nutrients used by bone tissue; however, calcium and some nutrients such as protein play the most crucial part in this growth, just as much as the hereditary elements. Obviously, minerals such as calcium influence skeletal vastly but the certain amount required to make sure that people attain an optimized peak bone mass is still vague. A good example is the situation in both the developed and developing countries where almost every child attains almost average peak bone-mass even with the environmental variations in calcium intake and the effects in both sides are not adversative. Viewing the subject in such as perspective shows that the only missing element in almost all arguments and theories is the influence of physical activity. Implementation The general execution of the project can go through three divisions as follows: Stage 1: Selecting the test and control groups fit for the research The main objective of this phase is selecting a group of mixed gender children between 11 and 15 years old who are fit for the processes relevant in the whole process. Moreover, the control group will entail around 100 participants. However, the selection need not be random due to the aspect of organization so the best choices are gymnasiums (test group) or talent academies (control group) where these children under the concept of physical exercise. This way it will be easy for the participants to adapt to new changes in their schedules and make it easier to collect the necessary information relative to bone density and peak bone mass. This form of positive scientific control group will facilitate the elimination of any variable and make it easier for the staff to compare results of the research after the three years. Stage 2: Subjecting Physical Exercises This is the most crucial stage of the project because these physical exercises act as determinants of how efficient and effective the results will be to the topics of bone density and peak bone mass. The exercises will involve high and low impact weight-bearing exercises that will entail involving the child in activities such as dancing, yoga, jumping rope, stair climbing, aerobics, using stair-step and elliptical training machines. Others include muscle-strengthening exercises that encourage the children to move their bodies more such the use of elastic exercise bands, weight lifting and other forms of functional movement. The overall concept of these exercises is using them to prevent osteoporosis instead of the popular way they apply in healing fractures that result from the same diagnosis. Stage 3: Measurement of the Children’s Bone Density The quantitative measurements of bone density in children will involve the Dual X-ray radiogrammetry (DXR) that is efficient for this process. It is also the first choice for the exercise because of its availability in almost all clinical settings hence it will not be a hard task for the staff. After collecting the quantitative data on the bone density, it will be easy to establish the impact of the physical exercises, especially in relation to peak bone mass and decrease of osteoporosis fracture later in life. The DXR is not 100% accurate but it is efficient in measuring bone mineral density through the spine, hip and all the major parts by comparing it with the set standard to give the overall score. The secondary measurement will entail screening tests focusing mainly on parts such as the wrist, heel or fingers. They will entail peripheral dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (PDXA), Quantitative Ultrasound (QUS) and Peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography (POCT). Collaboration of the primary and secondary form of tests will increase accuracy through clarifications and comparisons of scores from two or three different tests. Timeliness and Novelty As depicted by most of the past studies on calcium and other nutrients, the topic on increasing bone density has a gap that only physical activity can fill or apply in making a rational conception on boosting the peak bone mass that people attain. Additionally, there is a lot of evidence given as an indication that physical activity has affects skeletal growth and of all the experiments that research this concept, none of them has had children in large numbers as the main participants (Karrison, 2008). Evidently, genetics and other hereditary factors are among the core determinants of bone mass but controlled lifestyle through dieting and engaging can create a solution to the popular osteoporosis and the best group to recruit is children who have not yet become of peak bone mass attaining age (Anderson, 2000). Using exercises meant for the elderly people who have osteoporosis gives the children unlimited chances of acquiring sufficient bone density and reduces those of them getting fractures or the ailment at large. Program of Work The three stages of the scientific methodology will take place consecutively with stage two taking the time of up to 2 and ½ years to make sure that the data collected will be valid and accurate. The end and beginning of every stage will be a major breakthrough for the development of the project. It will be a requirement for the different staff members of the project to show the progress of the children in all areas at intervals of six or more months depending on the starting agreement. Justification of Resources The primary resource required in the project is the group of children who should have similar experiences in all aspects including the physical exercises and lifestyle in a secluded area with all the necessary facilities. A) Staff Moreover, leading the different exercises in yoga, aerobics, weight lifting and the rest requires specialists or trainers with the experience and knowledge on how the routines work to ensure efficiency of the project. The project requires additional staff members who will take charge of data collection, analysis and observe as throughout the implementation i.e. Graduate level research assistants. B) Equipment The physical exercises equipment is not an issue as institutions such as schools and talent academies have gymnasiums. However, the equipment to apply in measuring peak bone density is necessary as the whole project depends on information produced by the Dual X-ray radiogrammetry (DXR) etc. C) Consumables and Overheads Funding for the consumables and overheads is equally significant, as this will facilitate the training of the children in a standard and the staff members in performing the different tasks i.e. further research necessities as part of the analysis, hiring facilitates for outdoor physical exercises etc. Impact From a scientific perspective, even though it is a known fact that physical activity affects the bone density, there lacks a breakthrough on how this can apply in boosting children’s peak bone mass. Definitely, having a positive milestone from the project would create a firm foundation and completely new perspective to understanding bone density and peak bone mass, besides the popular diet and minerals discussions. Apart from the potential insight on the above areas, the project might also contribute to the prevention of osteoporosis at early ages among the children. Osteoporosis is a primal issue among the elderly in places such as the United States and costs the affected individuals a lot of resources and time; problems whose comprehensive solutions would most likely result from the project. The government and healthcare organizations use large amounts of funds in research on bone density and ways of overcoming osteoporosis and maybe emphasis on physical exercise ages could eliminate such expenses and contribute to societal development when the project makes a breakthrough. Costing Item Cost per Month Total Cost Justification Staff One Graduate level research assistant and a Fitness Trainer £3789 £45468 Data collection and analysis Equipment Stop watches Bone density measurement accessories £50,000 £150,000 Measurement of bone density and peak bone mass Consumables Data collection and analysis material i.e. computer software, training kit £20,900 £122,700 For regular tasks and sources of motivation for the children Overheads Further research in the library Renting of equipment such as the exercise machines £5684 (1.5*3789) £65,601 N/A Total £ £322,035 N/A Bibliography Anderson, J. 2000, ‘Important Role of Physical Activity in Skeletal Development- How Exercise might Counter Low Calcium Intake: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vol. 71, no.6, pp. 1384-1386 Cauley, G. 2014, ‘Osteoporosis Handout on Health’: NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases, National Research Center, viewed on 26 March 2015, http://www.niams.nih.gov/health_info/bone/osteoporosis/osteoporosis_hoh.asp Greg, E. 2008, ‘Determinants of Bone Health’: NCBI, viewed on 26 March 2015, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK45503/ Karrison, M. 2008, ‘Physical Activity Increases Bone Mass during Growth’: Co- action Publishing- Food and Nutrition, viewed on 26 March 2015, http://www.foodandnutritionresearch.net/index.php/fnr/article/view/1871/1937 Kaye, K. 2014, ‘Osteoporosis’: Fiesta Nutrition Centre, viewed on 26 March 2015, http://www.fiestanutrition.com/promog/ConditionCenter.asp?ConditionID=8&StoreID=3270415D02BF44A686AB699EA2E0A82D Langman, C. 2014, ‘Osteoporosis in Children and Adolescents: National Osteoporosis Foundation, viewed on 26 March 2015, http://nof.org/files/nof/public/content/clinicalupdates/clinicalupdates/Issue21ChildrenandAdolescents/childrenandadolescnets.html Mark, J. 2012, ‘Kids and their Bones’: NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases, National Research Center, viewed on 26 March 2015, http://www.niams.nih.gov/health_info/bone/bone_health/juvenile/default.asp Shedden, M. 2014, ‘Exercise and Bone Strength’, viewed on 26 March 2015, http://www.unm.edu/~lkravitz/Article%20folder/exercisebone.html Read More