Tai Chi Research » Postmenopausal women

Pilot study compares the effect of tai chi and resistance training on bone metabolism in the elderly.

David Bendall — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 16:49:28 +0000

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.

Abstract

Tai chi beneficial for retarding bone loss in weight-bearing bones in postmenopausal women.

David Bendall — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 18:03:51 +0000

Researchers at the Chinese University of Hong Kong randomly assigned 132 healthy early postmenopausal women to either 12 months of 45 minutes per day, 5 days per week supervised tai chi or no additional exercise. The rate of bone loss was less in the tai chi group than in the control group with the reduction especially significant in the distal tibia where there was a 2.6 to 3.6-fold retardation of bone loss. Over the course of the study, four fractures were documented, one in the tai chi group and three in the control group. The results suggest that tai chi is beneficial for retarding bone loss in postmenopausal women.

Abstract

Tai chi may retard bone loss in postmenopausal women

David Bendall — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 17:36:19 +0000

Researchers at the Chinese University of Hong Kong compared bone mineral density in the spine and legs of 17 postmenopausal women who regularly practice tai chi to 17 age and gender matched controls who did not exercise. The women in the tai chi group had significantly higher bone mineral density than those in the control group. Bone mineral density in both groups was re-measured after 12 months. There was a decreased rate of bone loss in the tai chi group compared to the controls. The researchers conclude that tai chi may help retard bone loss in the weight-bearing bones of postmenopausal women.

Abstract