Tai Chi as an exercise to prevent osteoporosis (part 8)
The previous pages have described the impact that carrying out Tai Chi as an exercise for the prevention of osteopenia and osteoporosis. It was suggested (although somewhat weakly) that people who take prolonged and regular Tai Chi exercises are able to lower their rates of bone mineral density loss to a similar level that is seen in people who walk regularly as a form of exercises. Perhaps a more important aspect when considering taking Tai Chi as an exercise is the impact that it can have on ones body and mind. It is beneficial in both posture, muscle skeletal strength, and in ones balance. The latter is very important for people with the osteoporosis syndrome as increased balance may lead to a lowering in the risk of fractures. additionally the increase in the state of mind may help the sufferer get through life in a more confident manner. Again this will help the person with osteopenia or osteoporosis get through their daily activities more safely. The use of Tai Chi was also found to be relatively safe in aging and frail people, making it an ideal exercise to carry out in later life.
It was suggested that Wayne et al that “Tai Chi may be an effective, safe and practical intervention for maintaining bone mineral density in postmenopausal women”. The paper then went onto suggest that further research into the use of Tai Chi as a preventative measure in the fight against osteoporosis should be carried out (on both men and women), and that these should focus on both internal factors such as rates of bone mineral density loss and on the incidence of fractures between people who take Tai Chi as a form of exercise and those who don't.
Reference Wayne et al. The effects of Tai Chi on Bone Mineral Density in postmenopausal Women: A systematic review. Arch Phys Med rehabil. Vol 88, pp673-680, 2007