Exercise may help prevent rickets according to several studies as reported on Fox News. If your child has the soft bones found in rickets or you have the adult form of rickets, called osteomalacia, you will need to exercise under a doctor's direction until your bones are healthy again. Until then, you are more likely to have a fracture. After you are well, you can exercise to help keep the bones strong.
Vitamin D
Rickets is almost always caused by a deficiency of vitamin D and/or a dietary deficiency of calcium. Sometimes it is caused by conditions where the body is unable to use vitamin D or another substance used in building bones. These conditions tend to run in families. Rickets was nearly eliminated in industrialized nations, but is once again on the increase as of 2011. The reasons for this are not entirely known, but several factors are suspected. One of them is lack of exercise.
Lifestyle
In the United Kingdom, the addition of vitamin D to milk is not mandatory. Still, with no changes in the probable intake, rickets is on the increase there. The "London Times" published a report that indicated the problem might be a combination of less sun exposure and less exercise. Children tend to stay inside, watch TV and play with computer games. Less sun exposure in the British climate may be an important factor. Many parents apply sunscreen when children do play in the sun. This blocks the sun's rays that produce natural vitamin D in the skin.
Infantile Rickets
In the United States, the addition of a minimal amount of vitamin D to milk is mandatory. There is an increase in rickets here also, but it is seen most in dark-skinned infants who are exclusively breastfed. Human breast milk does not supply enough vitamin D, and people with darker skin don't make as much as those with lighter skin and the same amount of sun exposure. Other than the added vitamin D, the factors are the same in the United States. Children exercise less and get less sunshine.
Exercise Benefits
Exercise is essential to build and maintain strong bones. Whether the problem is rickets, osteomalacia or osteoporosis, exercise will be part of the program to strengthen the muscles and rebuild the bone. Children will have stronger bones if they are given frequent opportunities to play and exercise outside in the sun. Sunscreen can be used, but may not be required for just a short time outside. Follow your doctor's advice on sunscreen and vitamin D supplements.
