The objective of this study was to review the Brazilian literature on physical activity/exercise and bone mineral density (BMD)/ osteoporosis. A bibliographic search was performed at Lilacs and Sibradid databases. The terms "osteoporosis" and "bone density" were combined with "physical activity" and "exercise". Original studies that related BMD or osteoporosis with physical activity or exercise in humans, in Portuguese and available online were included. Seven studies met these criteria and were included in the review. Out of three studies that analyzed the association between physical activity practice in childhood and the BMD/osteoporosis, only one found significant association. Four out of six studies that analyzed the relationship between actual physical activity/exercise with BMD showed significant relation. The results of this systematic review demonstrated that few studies investigate the relation between physical activity/ exercise and BMD/ osteoporosis in the Brazilian literature. Although the results present some controversies, they suggest a positive impact on physical activity/exercise to increase BMD and decrease the prevalence of osteoporosis.
Exercise; Motor activity; Bone density
