Aging is characterized by fundamental cellular and molecular hallmarks that result in physiologic decline of most body systems. This may culminate in frailty, a state of decreased reserve.
Because frailty is a state of multisystem dysregulation, multimodal interventions may be necessary to mitigate and prevent progression rather than interventions targeting a single system. Movement-based mind-body therapies, such as Tai Chi and yoga, are promising multimodal strategies for frailty prevention and treatment given their inherent multicomponent nature.
In this review performed by Harvard Medical School, University of Minnesota Medical School and Oregon Health & Science University and published by Aging Cell, the scientists summarize the links between hallmarks of aging and frailty and how Tai Chi and yoga may impact these hallmarks. They review trial evidence for the impact of Tai Chi and yoga on frailty in older populations and discuss opportunities for future research.
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