Young women who want to improve their bone health should put on their ladies fitness wear and take up gymnastics, it has been suggested.

A new study, to be published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, claims that long-term elite rhythmic gymnastics can improve bone density and bone geometry in adolescent girls.

Lead author of the study Dr Symeon Tournis, of the University of Athens, said: "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."

Some 49 girls aged between nine and 13 were involved in the study, 26 of whom were elite rhythmic gymnasts who had trained for at least two years.

The other 23 girls just took part in exercise in standard school PE classes.

Researchers found that girls in the gymnastic group had increased bone strength and cortical thickness, or a thicker outer shell of the bone.

Last month, researchers from the Sint Maartenskliniek in the Netherlands claimed that by learning martial arts falls, osteoporosis sufferers' can reduce their risk of bone fractures.

Posted by Sue Wallis ADNFCR-2569-ID-19764251-ADNFCR

Sport & Fitness Clothing News - Latest Stories

Danger of exercise to hypertensive people 'blocked'

Posted on 06-Apr-11

Scientists have found a way of preventing a greater increase in the blood pressure of women with hypertension when they exercise in their ladies running clothing.

Sport for all initiative hailed a success

Posted on 06-Apr-11

People of all ages, abilities and walks of life donned their gym clothing recently to take part in free sports sessions at the University of Nottingham.

Exercise 'keeps the heart young'

Posted on 05-Apr-11

Women who exercise regularly throughout their lives have stronger, healthier hearts than those who do not don their ladies fitness clothing often, a study has suggested.

Using own body mass 'is helpful in resistance exercise'

Posted on 04-Apr-11

Older women can benefit from donning their gym clothing and taking part in resistance exercises that include using their own body weight.

Progressive resistance training 'is good for seniors'

Posted on 01-Apr-11

Progressive resistance training can help elderly women to improve their strength in their ladies fitness clothing.