Most bone growth occurs at night: study
January 31, 2005 Edition 1
Chicago: The perception that children seem to grow taller overnight could be true, say researchers.
Scientists at the University of Wisconsin's School of Veterinary Medicine in the US placed sensors on the leg bones of lambs to monitor bone growth in the animals. About 90% of bone growth occurred when the animals were sleeping or at rest, according to the study published in the Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics.
Study author Norman Wilsman reasoned that growth plates consisting of soft cartilage at the ends of bones become compressed when walking or standing, preventing growth. When lying down, the pressure on the growth plates is off and the bones elongate. - Reuters
