Exercising and cycling

Making kids do some exercise during their early years makes them stronger than do other activities.

Making your kids do some exercise during their early years makes them stronger than do other activities like swimming or cycling, says Charles H. Turner, professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and director of orthopaedic research at the Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis.

According to Turner, exercising puts the "best" kind of mechanical load to strengthen bones, especially during childhood and adolescence, as growing bones are most responsive to the strengthening effects of running or jumping.

His findings, which would be discussed at a conference being held at the American Physiological Society , also reveal that short intense exercise bouts build bone most effectively, hence short sprints should build more bone than a long jog.

However, activities like serious weight-lifting, are not recommended for children because "overloading growing joints can stunt longitudinal bone growth and consequently stunt overall limb growth and height," Turner said.