A Chinese study published by Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research in December 2023 evaluated three Tai Chi exercise programs as intervention measures to compare their effects on improving rate of change in bone mineral density in elderly individuals with osteoporosis and to propose the optimal exercise duration.
A randomized controlled trial was conducted to identify study participants based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Forty-nine participants were divided into four groups:
- 24-style Tai Chi group (13 people, 7 males/6 females),
- Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan group (12 people, 5 males/7 females),
- Tai Chi Softball group (11 people, 6 males/5 females),
- A control group (13 people, 6 males/7 females).
Except for the control group, each group received different Tai Chi exercise programs four times a week for 60 min per session, lasting for 16 weeks. Bone mineral density was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at several places. The rate of change of bone mineral density was calculated using the formula.
Compared with control group, all three Tai Chi groups showed significant improvements in bone mineral density changes, but their effects on the improvement of femoral neck and greater tuberosity change rates were similar. In addition, compared to the other exercise regimens, the 24-style Tai Chi Chuan group demonstrated more significant improvements in bone mineral density at the L2-L4 lumbar vertebrae region and exhibited a more pronounced improvement in Ward’s triangle bone mineral density after only 8 weeks. Short-term (4 weeks or less) Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan group was more effective than Tai Chi Softball group in enhancing femoral neck bone mineral density. However, statistical significance was not found in all other cases.
These three Tai Chi exercise programs have similar positive effects on the bone mineral density of the femoral neck and greater trochanter. However, compared with other exercise schemes, the 24-style Tai Chi group showed a more significant improvement in bone mineral density of the L2-L4 lumbar vertebrae region after just 8 weeks, as well as a more pronounced improvement in bone mineral density of Ward’s triangle. In terms of improving femoral neck bone mineral density, Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan was found to be more effective than Tai Chi Softball in less than 4 weeks.
This study provides evidence for the effectiveness of Tai Chi exercise in improving bone mineral density and preventing osteoporosis in the middle-aged and elderly high-risk population.
