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Big muscles make stronger bones, according to a new study.

Researchers from the University of Southampton found a link between higher muscle mass and healthier bone development. However, they found no link between fat mass and bone development.

The latest findings revealed that muscle mass, but not fat mass, influences bone development.

Researcher concluded that lean muscle and healthy bone development influence the size, shape and density of limb bones in children between the ages of six and seven.

The latest study involved 200 children of participants in the Southampton Women's Survey.

"Bone strength and size is important because they are significant factors in long term osteoporosis and fracture risk," lead researcher Dr. Rebecca Moon said in a news release. "A ten per cent increase in peak bone mass will delay the onset of osteoporosis by 13 years. These findings point to the importance of early childhood physical activity to optimize muscle and bone growth."

"This is a wonderful example of a biomedical discovery made by combining state of the art imaging methodologies with the world leading population science, for which Southampton has an established international reputation," added Professor Cyrus Cooper, Director of the MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, according to researchers.

The findings are published in the journal Bone.