High-impact sports like running and basketball could lead to stronger bones as people age.

Such were the findings of a new study presented at the recent 74th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

According to Vonda Wright, MD, lead author and assistant professor in the department of orthopedic surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center:

"While we know that exercise is vital as we get older, this study finds that the kind of exercise we choose can be just as important. The findings show that a key to maintaining strong, healthy bones as we age is to engage in impact sports."

Measurements conducted on 298 athletes competing in the 2005 Senior Olympic Games in Pittsburgh revealed that the bone mineral density (BMD) for those who participated in impact sports was significantly greater than athletes who competed in low-impact sports like swimming and cycling.

Find more details from the full report.