"INFLUENCE OF GEOGRAPHIC TERRAIN ON LOWER LIMB CIRCUMFERENCE CHANGES IN SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN."

Abstract

The impact of the environment on the physiology of school-age children, such as varying levels of atmospheric pressure, low oxygen content in the air, and insolation in mountainous regions [3],[11], has a direct effect on the development of children's musculoskeletal system. Studies [1] have demonstrated that hypoxia can influence the balance between bone formation and resorption, leading to a loss of bone mass. Hypoxia can also affect osteoblast production, responsible for bone formation [8]. In particular, hypoxia may reduce the activity of specific genes involved in osteoblast differentiation and proliferation, potentially resulting in decreased bone formation