MAWA Research Grant
A longitudinal study of the skeletal effects of exercise during growth in females, Dr K. Bennell, Ms B.L Matthews, School of Physiotherapy, University of Melbourne; Dr K.M. Khan, School of Human Kinetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; Assoc. Professor J.D. Wark, Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital.
Osteoporosis and an increased rate of bone fracture are major problems in post-menopausal women. Much of this is due to a poor diet and lack of exercise during adolescence. To address this issue Dr. Kim Bennell and her colleagues were awarded $7,780 for a study on the effects of weight-bearing exercise on the bone density of adolescent female ballet dancers.
Exercise during growth may be important in maximising peak bone mass and thus reducing the risk of osteoporotic fracture in later life. There is little research in humans directly evaluating the effects of exercise across the adolescent growth phase. This project used a model already in existence as part of a three-year longitudinal study to continue to monitor two cohorts, one a group of healthy pubertal female dancers and the other a group of non-dancers, to assess whether exercise during childhood has a positive effect on the human skeleton. The project demonstrated the use of densitometry (a method of determination of bone mass) as a safe procedure which can be used for non-animal-based research into bone density and the prevention of osteoporosis.