Does the positive effect of physical activity during childhood and adolescence on bone mass accrual persist into early adult life?

It is thought that bone accrual and mineralization should be maximized as a primary means of preventing osteoporosis. Bone may be most receptive to the influence of physical activity during childhood and adolescence.Numerous studies have provided evidence of increased bone mineral content (BMC), not only in child and adolescent athletes involved in high impact activities, but also children and adolescents who simply had amore physically active lifestyle (Janz et al., 2001; Cooper et al., 2005). It remains inconclusive, however, if these affects of physical activity on BMC during the growing years persist into early adulthood.