Pilot study compares the effect of tai chi and resistance training on bone metabolism in the elderly.
December 25, 2009 by David Bendall · Leave a Comment
Researchers at Texas Tech in Lubbock Texas carried out a pilot study designed to compare the effects of tai chi to resistance training on bone metabolism. Twenty eight sedentary elderly adults were randomly assigned to 24 weeks of either tai chi or resistance training. Both groups participated in three 45 minute exercise sessions per week. The researchers measured markers of bone formation and bone reabsorption. After 6 weeks both groups had higher levels of serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) a biochemical marker of bone formation than at baseline, with the increase being greater in the tai chi group. The resistance training group but not the tai chi group also showed an increase in pyridinoline (PYD) which is released during bone reabsorption. The BAP/PYD ratio was increased over baseline in the tai chi group only. The tai chi group also showed a higher level of parathyroid hormone, which controls calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood, than the resistance training group. After the 12 weeks the tai chi group had a reduction in urinary calcium levels. These results suggest that tai chi is beneficial for increasing bone formation in the elderly.
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