Action of the Physical Exercise on Bone Mineral Density in Women

This article makes a review about the effects of different physical activities in developing and maintaining bone in women with different life stages, showing that physical activity can increase bone mass during adolescence. Also, it evidences that vigorous exercise done for years can lead to a deficit in density, causing damage to bone health. Methodology was based in bibliographical research, using recent articles (published since 2002) selected in Pubmed and Sportdiscus databases. Determining which sort of exercises bring the best benefits to bone health is essential to increase and/or maintain women's BMD (bone mineral density), especially those who are in stages of accelerated bone loss (postmenopausal). It concludes that exercises which tend to increase muscular strength and fat free mass present the best results over bone density in adult women; strength training, chiefly impact exercises (plyometrics), seems to produce positive effects over young and postmenopausal women's BMD.