As an increasing amount of research on mechanical loading, exercise, and bone health becomes available, there is a growing need to synthesize and clarify the rapidly evolving information. No other resource fills this need better than the timely Physical Activity and Bone Health-the first book of its kind to examine effective exercise as it contributes to bone health. This text is written for all “students” of the human movement sciences with an interest in skeletal structure and function. It compiles a wealth of research literature-from the earliest to the most recent studies-making it a time-saving and essential resource. Physical Activity and Bone Health was written by six highly acclaimed authorities in the field, which adds tremendously to its value. Only in this book will you gain access to such broad and balanced perspectives and a diverse knowledge base. Emphasizing exercise and its effect on bone, the book's sections–which can be read in any order–contain current information on these topics: Basic anatomy and physiology of the structure and function of bone Factors other than exercise that influence bone Exercising to maintain a healthy skeleton from childhood through old age The role of exercise in preventing perimenopausal bone loss Medical issues of bone deterioration Questions that require further research In addition, one section of the book is devoted to practical exercise prescriptions for different stages of life-from childhood and adolescence to adulthood and the elderly years. The exercise prescriptions are safe and effective and can be used by professionals in physical activity, health, and bone fields as a way to optimize bone health. Physical Activity and Bone Health is richly supported with illustrations, more than 850 references, and 20 chapters that stand alone or can be read together for a comprehensive picture. For those who wish to explore the frontiers of bone health, Physical Activity and Bone Health is a handy and trusted guide.

Table of Contents:
Part I. Structure, Function, and Measurement of Bone Chapter 1. Anatomy Bone's Organic Makeup Macroscopic and Microscopic Appearance Bone Cells: Osteoblasts, Osteocytes, Osteoclasts Summary References Chapter 2. Physiology Calcium Homeostasis Mechanotransduction Modeling and Remodeling Summary References Chapter 3. Biomechanics Material Properties of Bone Structural Properties of Bone Bone's Response to Local Mechanical Loading How Physical Activity Generates Loads on Bone Summary References Chapter 4. Measuring the Properties of Bone Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry Quantitative Ultrasound Quantitative Computed Tomography Measuring Bone Metabolism: Biochemical Markers Summary References Part II. Determinants of Bone Mineral Other Than Physical Activity Chapter 5. Age, Sex, Genetics, and Race Age Sex Genetics Race and Ethnicity Summary References Chapter 6. Soft Tissue Determinants of Bone Mineral Density Total Body Mass and BMD Lean Mass and BMD Fat Mass and BMD Soft Tissue in Bone Research Studies Summary References Chapter 7. Influence of Normal Endocrine Function on Bone Mineral Estrogen Progesterone Effects of Pregnancy and Lactation Testosterone Growth Hormone and Insulin-Like Growth Factor I Corticosteroid Hormones Thyroid Hormone Summary References Chapter 8. Dietary Intake and Bone Mineral Calcium Intake and Bone Mineral Density at Various Life Stages Vitamin D and Bone Mineralization Dietary Supplementation and Fracture Risk Interaction of Calcium and Physical Activity Other Lifestyle Factors and Bone Mineral Density Summary References Part III. Evidence and Prescription: A Life Span Approach Chapter 9. Measurement of Physical Activity Inherent Limitations Traditional Methods Suggestions for Measuring Physical Activity in Bone Studies Summary References Chapter 10. Physical Activity and Bone in Childhood and Adolescence Exercise, Bone Mineral Response, and Age Normal Bone Mineral Accrual Targeted Bone Loading and Bone Mineral Generalized Physical Activity and Bone Mineral Exercise Prescriptions Summary References Chapter 11. Physical Activity, Targeted Bone Loading, and Bone Mineral in Premenopausal Women Longitudinal Studies: Exercise Intervention Cross-Sectional Studies: Athletes Versus Controls Longitudinal Studies: Athletes Versus Controls Cross-Sectional Studies: Generalized Physical Activity Mechanism of Bone Augmentation Exercise Prescription Summary References Chapter 12. Physical Activity, Targeted Bone Loading, and Bone Mineral in Postmenopausal Women Vertebral BMD and Targeted Bone Loading Vertebral BMD and Minimal Bone Loading Proximal Femoral BMD and Targeted Bone Loading Mechanism of Bone Changes Mechanism of Mechanical Load Adaptation Exercise Prescription Summary References Chapter 13. Physical Activity and Bone Mineral in Men Controlled Trials of Exercise and BMD Longitudinal Observational Studies Cross-Sectional Studies of Athletes and Controls Studies Examining Physical Activity As a Determinant of BMD Mechanism of Bone Gain Exercise Prescriptions Summary References Chapter 14. Exercise and Fall Prevention Falling, Fracture, and Age-Related Physiological Changes Among Older Adults Can Exercise Decrease the Incidence of Falls? Guidelines for Exercise Prescription Summary References Chapter 15. Exercise Prescription for People With Osteoporosis The Problem of Osteoporosis Finer Point: Commonly Prescribed Treatments for Osteoporosis Exercise Prescriptions Summary References Part IV. Intense Physical Activity and Bone Health Chapter 16. Skeletal Effects of Menstrual Disturbance Delayed Menarche and Bone Mass Intense Physical Training and Linear Growth Menstrual Disturbance and Bone Other Factors Contributing to Osteopenia Athlete Menstrual Disturbance and Osteoporosis Mechanism of Bone Loss Treatment of Amenorrheic Women References Chapter 17. Stress Fractures Continuum of Bone Overuse Injury Why Stress Fractures Occur-Pathophysiology Clinical Aspects Treatment of Stress Fractures Risk Factors Summary References Part V. Research Opportunities: Physical Activity and Bone Health Chapter 18. Getting Involved in Bone Research Studies: Bone at the Molecular, Cellular, and Tissue Levels Summary References Chapter 19. Research Projects Suitable for a Master's Thesis Course Work Studies Appropriate for a Master's Thesis Summary References Chapter 20. Research Projects Suitable for a PhD Thesis Recent Bone and Physical Activity Doctoral Theses Current Questions in the Field Summary References Appendix A. Tables Appendix B. Questionnaires