According to a new study, long term elite rhythmic gymnastics exerts positive effects on volumetric bone density and bone geometry in adolescent girls. Researcher evaluated the bone health of 49 girls between the ages of 9 and 13 years in the study. They measured volumetric bone density, bone mineral content and cortical thickness in each girl and found that girls who had undergone intensive rhythmic gymnastic training had increased cortical thickness and bone strength.

Symeon Tournis said “Previous studies of adolescents have found an association between weight-bearing exercise and increased bone density and bone strength. Our findings show that training in rhythmic gymnastics significantly improves bone health in adolescent girls. Given that osteoporosis traits start in childhood, it is possible to speculate that if

girls maintain their gymnastic training beyond adolescence, even if their training is less intensive, they may have a reduced risk of bone fracture later in life”. Tournis said “There are a small number of studies that have evaluated the effect of weight-bearing exercise on bone mineral density and bone geometry. However, to our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the effect of long-term elite rhythmic gymnastics on bone geometry using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (PQCT) along with detailed evaluation of bone turnover markers”.

The study also said that if in adolescence , a girl takes up the Elite Gymnastic, it will make her bones strong and protect her from osteoporosis during menopause.