Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Since adolescents with obesity are prone to bone fragility during weight loss, the aim was to compare the impact of high-intensity interval training HIIT versus moderate-intensity continuous training MICT on bone density, geometry, and strength. Anthropometry, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry with hip structural analysis and the trabecular bone score TBS were assessed before and after the week intervention.
Keywords: Childhood obesity, Bone mineral density, Bone strength, High-intensity interval training, Moderate-intensity continuous training. Pediatric obesity is a priority public health challenge [ 1 ]. Traditionally, excess body weight has been considered to have positive effects on the bone as it represents a mechanical load which can induce benefits for bone accrual [ 2 , 3 , 4 ].
This remains, however, subject to debate since recent findings suggest that excessive fat mass FM can compromise bone mass and quality [ 5 , 6 ]. Indeed, FM can negatively influence bone tissue by nonmechanical mechanisms, including via hormones and cytokines [ 7 ]. A lack of sufficient physical activity and some nutritional deficits have also been found to alter bone density [ 8 , 9 ].
Therefore, bone quality and structure are influenced by a balance of mechanical and inflammatory stimuli, nutrition, physical activity, and the hormonal milieu particularly at puberty [ 2 ]. It has now been well demonstrated that adolescents with obesity have suboptimal bone health compared to lean peers, which increases the likelihood of fractures during a crucial period of bone mineral acquisition [ 2 , 3 , 8 , 10 , 11 ]. Multidisciplinary weight loss interventions combining nutritional approaches and physical activity are the cornerstone of treatment strategies for adolescents with obesity in order to decrease body mass index BMI and FM [ 12 ] while preserving lean mass LM and improving fitness.
However, weight loss can also lead to bone breakdown [ 2 , 5 ] related to subsequent decreased mechanical loading on the skeleton [ 5 ], decreased caloric intake [ 5 ], and altered secretion of some key hormones and peptides involved in bone regulation [ 6 , 13 ]. For example, weight loss decreases the circulating estrogen and increases the sex hormone-binding globulin, which negatively impacts bone osteoblastic and osteoclastic activity, directly or indirectly, related with the heightened levels of cytokines i.
