Chinese traditional fitness exercises (taichi and qigong) have significant advantages in preventing and treating osteoporosis. In addition, Chinese traditional fitness exercises increase bone mass, decelerate bone loss, and improve bone metabolism, and play a significant role in improving balance, reducing fall risks, relieving pain, and improving the quality of life.
Chinese traditional fitness sports need low skill requirements and have a higher safety index than ordinary aerobic exercises. It is rich in various movements, which meet the different exercise needs of different people. Chinese traditional fitness sports bring enormous interest and greatly improve patients’ compliance.
A review of current research by Shenyang Sport University into benefits of Chinese traditional fitness exercises widely used in clinical practice, namely, Taichi, Ba Duan Jin, Wu Qin Xi, and Yi Jin Jing. Based on the research, Chinese traditional fitness exercises are expected to directly stimulate the bone through a mechanical load to improve bone density. Moderate and regular traditional Chinese fitness exercises also improve osteoporosis by regulating the endocrine system with the secretion of hormones and factors such as estrogen and irisin, which are beneficial for bone formation. Finally, the purpose of promoting bone formation, reducing bone loss, and preventing and treating osteoporosis is achieved. The various means of Chinese traditional fitness exercises have different emphases, and the effect of improving bone density differs in various parts of the body. The exercisers may choose the exercise flexibly based on their own needs. Chinese traditional fitness exercises can improve the bone density of the exercisers and relieve pain, improve balance, and regulate the psychological state.
Chinese fitness exercises are based on the theories of yin and yang, qi and blood, meridians, and collaterals of traditional Chinese medicine. Chinese traditional fitness exercises are clinically widely accepted by doctors, patients, and family members. They have various forms that are safe and easy to learn, create strong interest, and have almost no side effects. Taichi, Ba Duan Jin, Wu Qin Xi, and Yi Jin Jing are widely used in treating osteoporosis. Taichi is light and soft; it combines movement and static, emphasizes the control of a breathing rhythm with consciousness, forms a linkage with action, improves the elasticity of joints and ligaments, strengthens muscle strength, promotes calcium deposition, prevents joint deformation and other diseases, and regulates the function of the viscera as a whole, which warms and takes care for the kidney and spleen. Meanwhile, Ba Duan Jin exercise movement is simple and slow, and it is primarily based on an isometric contraction of muscles. It emphasizes the training of the lower limb muscle strength to improve the balancing ability of the lower limbs to prevent patients from falling and reduce the occurrence of fractures. Furthermore, training for Ba Duan Jin increases bone stress, promotes bone formation, reduces bone resorption, and controls the progress of osteoporosis. In addition, the movements of Wu Qin Xi are simple and safe, and the active parts are comprehensive. Its movements involve the major muscle groups of the whole body and the joint movements of the spine, limbs, and fingers, which may improve the blood circulation of the soft tissue of the spine and other joints, help maintain the normal structure of bones and joints, prevent joint stiffness, enhance muscle strength, and delay the development of osteoporosis. Meanwhile, Yi Jin Jing focuses on strengthening muscles and bones. Long-term practice can improve the flexibility of muscles and ligaments, increase bone density, and also, open blood vessels to prevent and treat diseases.
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2023.1071005/full
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