J Korean Acad Fam Med.  2000 Jan;21(1):46-56.

Femoral and vertebral bone mineral density and physical fitness factors in postmenopausal women of precticing Tai Chi

• Ock SM
• Choi WS
• Kim CM

Abstract

BACKGROUND
It is widely accepted tht Tai Chi has been suited for whole aged people, especially old aged women and improves bone mineral density and physical fitness levels. To investigate the efficacy of Tai Chi in postmenopausal women, we compared the bone mineral density and physical fitness levels between Tai Chi and control groups.
METHODS
The study subjects were 10 Tai Chi and 18 control group who were postmenopausal women aged 40 years and older. Bone mineral density(BMD) was measured at the lumbar spine and femoral area using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and maximal O2 intake, flexibility, grip strength, sit up, broad jump, balance, side-to-side step were checked for assessment of fitness levels. Other data was gathered from the questionnaire.
RESULTS
The BMD of lumbar spine and Ward's triangle was significantly higher in control group(P<0.05) and the results of maximal O2 intake(P<0.05), grip strength(P<0.05), sit up(P<0.05), balance(P<0.01) were significantly higher in the control group. Logistic regression analysis showed that the results of grip strength, sit up, balance were significantly higher in the control group(P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Tai Chi improve physical finess levels and bone mineral density and can be a useful exercise type for menopausal women.

Keyword

Tai Chi; BMD; physical finess levels

MeSH Terms

Absorptiometry, Photon
Bone Density*
Female
Hand Strength
Humans
Logistic Models
Physical Fitness*
Pliability
Spine
Tai Ji*
Surveys and Questionnaires