The Impact of Physical Activity on the Skeleton

Question 1

What are the short term effects of physical activity on the skeleton?

Answer 1

• increased synovial fluid in joints which reduces impact
• increases range of movement
• high impact activities can increase injury risk to bones/joints, a warm up prior to activity will help limit impact.

Question 2

What are the long term positive effects of exercise on the skeleton?

Answer 2

• It can improve bone mineral density: Caused by high impact/weight-bearing exercise
• Increase joint ROM and flexibility
• Increased joint stability due to
• Increase strength of the ligaments associated with joints
  Prevents sprains/dislocations

-Prevents osteoporosis
Which is reduced bone density/weakening with age
Can affect young people as well as older people

• Increases thickness of cartilage
  Reduced risk of (osteo)arthritis
  Reduces friction/wear and tear at joint and cushioning
• Improved posture / body alignment
  Increased strength of core stability muscles
  Reduces likelihood of lower back pain
• Weight management

Question 3

What are the long term negative effects of physical activity on the skeleton?

Answer 3

• Increased risk of (osteo)arthritis
  Overuse/poor technique can cause wear and tear/ loss of cartilage
  Reduced production of synovial fluid
  High impact activities/repetitive actions are risk factor
• Chronic/overuse injuries
  Repetitive actions cause damage: tendonitis , stress fractures, Osgood Schlatter’s disease/bursitis

-Acute/impact injuries: Contact sports - Fractures/dislocations/torn cartilage/ligaments. Can lead to arthritis in later life Can lead to sedentary lifestyle during recovery or to avoid repeat injury

Question 4

How do warm up and cool downs help?

Answer 4

Both warm ups and cool downs are used to accentuate the positive and reduce the negative impacts of physical activity.

Warm ups help reduce the impact of exercise on joints and help to increase joint ROM. Particularly important in high impact sports.