The importance of physical activity in the daily life of our kids is clear to everyone. This new research goes further: it indicates that weight-bearing activities like running, volleyball, and tennis during adolescence lead to having stronger bones later in life. The research is specific for women:

In the study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, researchers compared the effect of youth sports participation in 46 postmenopausal women aged 52 to 73 on two major contributors to overall bone strength: bone mineral content and bone mineral density.

Researchers found that women who participated in weight-bearing sports that involve running and jumping, such as track and field, tennis, and volleyball, in junior high and high school had significantly greater bone strength in at least two main areas than women who didn’t play sports or those who participated in non-weight-bearing exercise.

I guess, it means you’ve got to get a pair of snickers for your girls and hit the road!

Read more at WebMD: Youth Sports Build Strong Bones for Life:
Weight-Bearing Exercise Has Lasting Benefits for Women’s Bone Strength.