Rec League Sports May be Better at Building Strong Bones Than Weightlifting

A meta-analysis of 24 clinical studies involving 1,238 healthy adults found that high-intensity sports requiring fast directional changes and bursts of movement—such as handball and soccer—produce significantly larger boosts in osteocalcin (a marker of bone formation) compared to resistance training, walking, or step aerobics.

Most studies measured biomarkers rather than bone mineral density directly. Consult a doctor before changing exercise routines if you have cardiovascular issues, musculoskeletal problems, or osteoporosis.