ABSTRACT
The prevalence of osteoporosis and fragility fractures is expected to increase due to the increasing life expectancy of the population worldwide. Determinants of osteoporosis include the genetic predisposition and environmental factors, such as exercise and diet, which can affect peak bone mass attainment. Peak bone mass is achieved between the second and third decade of life, with 80–90% acquired by late adolescence followed by a decrease of ~1% annually from the fifth decade of life. Weight-bearing exercise has an important role on bone development and maintenance of skeletal bone mass due to the mechanical loads produced and the repetitive forces applied on the skeleton. Football includes a wide variety of intermittent high-intensity movements which produce large ground reaction forces. Cross-sectional, longitudinal and randomised controlled trials provide evidence that football exercise can have positive effects on bone development and structure in both male and female children and adolescents. During adulthood, football participation can maintain and improve bone health in young, middle-aged and older men and women, including various clinical patient groups with evidence indicating structural, cellular and clinically relevant bone adaptations. The skeletal benefits are site-specific and adaptations are observed particularly at the skeletal regions stimulated by mechanical loads. In summary, it is concluded that football participation is an effective strategy to promote bone health during childhood, adolescence and in adulthood.
