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document
Assisted exercise and bone strength in preterm infants . Studies have previously demonstrated that brief ( 4 weeks ) passive range-of-motion exercise is beneficial for bone development in very low birth weight ( VLBW ) preterm infants . However , the optimal duration of exercise for bone development in preterm infants is yet unknown . The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of 8 weeks of assisted exercise on bone strength and metabolism in VLBW premature infants . Sixteen infants ( mean +/- standard error of the mean birth weight 1,009 +/- 55 g and gestational age 27.3 +/- 0.3 weeks ) were randomly assigned into exercise ( n = 8 ) and control ( n = 8 ) groups . The intervention started at the first week of life and involved 8 weeks of daily passive extension and flexion range-of-motion exercise of the upper and lower extremities . Biochemical markers of bone turnover were measured at enrollment and after 8 weeks . Bone strength was measured weekly by quantitative ultrasound measurement of tibial bone speed of sound ( SOS ) . Bone SOS decreased significantly in the control group ( -108.1 +/- 33.7 m/second , P < 0.0001 ) during the study period , while remaining stable in the exercise group ( 11.3 +/- 22.8 m/second ) . The main beneficial effect of exercise occurred in the first 4 weeks of the intervention . There were no significant differences in the bone turnover marker changes between the groups . There is a significant postnatal decrease in bone SOS in VLBW preterm infants . Eight weeks of assisted range-of-motion exercise attenuates the decrease in bone strength and may decrease the risk of osteopenia in premature infants .
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Intervention_Physical
Assisted exercise
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Intervention_Physical
exercise
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Intervention_Physical
assisted exercise
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Intervention_Control
control
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Intervention_Physical
daily passive extension and flexion range-of-motion exercise
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Intervention_Physical
exercise
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Outcome_Physical
Biochemical markers of bone turnover
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Outcome_Physical
Bone strength
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Outcome_Physical
tibial bone speed of sound
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Outcome_Physical
Bone SOS
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Outcome_Physical
main beneficial effect of exercise
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Outcome_Physical
bone turnover marker changes
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Outcome_Physical
postnatal decrease in bone SOS
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Outcome_Physical
bone strength
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Outcome_Physical
risk of osteopenia
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Participant_Age
preterm infants
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Participant_Condition
premature infants
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Participant_Sample-size
Sixteen
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Participant_Age
infants
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Participant_Age
27.3 +/- 0.3 weeks