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Id 2892
Author Boldina A.; Gomes B.; Steemers K.
Title Active urbanism: The potential effect of urban design on bone health
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Boldina A.; Gomes B.; Steemers K. Active urbanism: The potential effect of urban design on bone health,Cities and Health 6 2

Keywords
Link to article https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85136835980&doi=10.1080%2f23748834.2021.1921512&partnerID=40&md5=994a11cb5087e5b6fdd60ac053c73eb4
Abstract Health is becoming an increasingly important aspect of built environment design. We aim to bridge the gap between existing knowledge in medicine and its potential applications. This paper tests the extent to which Active Urbanism can facilitate gaining and maintaining bone mass widely across the population through encouraging serendipitous high impact exercise. Based on a review of successful high impact exercise programs, we run a biokinetics experiment in a laboratory measuring ground reaction forces to match field sociological studies in the urban environment. Considering data collected, Active Urbanism can increase the average bone density of an average child not previously involved in sport by 12% in 10 years, and that of an average adult by 2.8% in 10 years. Such a modest increase in bone mass density, if sustained over a lifetime, has the potential to delay the risk of fracture and of osteoporosis by 10 years or more. This new parameter has the potential to support infrastructure and landscape designers to optimize their plans and will need further examination by communities of these practices. © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Metodology

DOI 10.1080/23748834.2021.1921512
Search Database Scopus
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