title: Effects of an exercise program and a calcium supplementation on bone in children: a randomized control trial.
abstract: We investigated the effects of calcium supplementation and physical practice on the bone ultrasound properties and trabecular microarchitecture in children. 160 children aged 8-11 were randomly allocated to active or nonactive groups and to receive either a calcium-phosphate or a placebo powder for 6 months. Skeletal status was assessed using an ultrasound technique, which measures the speed of sound (Ad-SoS, m/s) at the phalanx. Bone microarchitecture was characterized by fractal analysis measured on calcaneus radiographs and the result expressed as the Hmean parameter, that has been shown to a good reliability of the bone texture quality. After 6 months, the calcium group had significantly gained Ad-SoS compared to the placebo group (P = 0.01) and Hmean increase was greater in the active than the nonactive group (P < 0.05). Exercise and calcium supplementation had a differential effect on the bone tissue, calcium being rather linked to a systemic effect whereas exercise has acted better onto the skeletal stressed site.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory ATOSEP, University of Orleans, Orleans, France.
authors.forename: Dorina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ianc
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Serbescu
authors.forename: Marius
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bembea
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Benhamou
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lespessailles
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Courteix
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon / Q000379:methods; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001846:Bone Development / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D017709:Fractals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D002136:Calcium, Dietary