Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• Traditional Chinese exercises (Tai Chi, Baduanjin, Wuqinxi, Yijinjing) significantly improve bone mineral density and mitigate bone loss through multiple mechanisms. • Mechanisms include mechanical loading, gut microbiota-bone axis modulation, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, and endocrine regulation. • Tai Chi is particularly effective for postmenopausal women, improving lumbar spine and femoral neck bone density; Baduanjin combined with drugs regulates glucose metabolism and bone turnover. • Wuqinxi reduces fracture risk by improving joint function, while Yijinjing shows benefits in gender-related bone density maintenance.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although traditional drug therapy has achieved good results in the treatment of osteoporosis, long-term use often leads to adverse events. Currently, exercise intervention (including traditional Chinese sports) has gradually become a hot topic and a new choice for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the biological mechanisms and related clinical application progress of traditional Chinese sports (such as Tai Chi Chuan, Baduanjin, Wuqinxi, Yijinjing) in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, and to explore their potential mechanisms and effects in improving bone health in multiple aspects. METHODS: Relevant literature search was retrieved in the Web of Science, PubMed, CNKI, WanFang Database, and VIP Journal Database. The search terms included "Osteoporosis, Traditional Chinese Exercises, Tai Chi Chuan, Baduanjin, Wuqinxi, Yijinjing, Bone Mineral Density, Bone Metabolism, Blood Circulation, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Clinical Application" in English and Chinese. Finally, 59 articles were included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Traditional Chinese exercises significantly improve bone mineral density and mitigate bone loss through the combined effects of multiple pathways, including mechanical loading to regulate bone metabolism, modulating the gut microbiota-bone axis, enhancing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, and endocrine regulation. Clinical evidence has indicated that Tai Chi Chuan has particularly significant effects on improving lumbar spine and femoral neck bone mineral density in postmenopausal women; Baduanjin combined with medication can significantly regulate glucose metabolism and bone turnover; Wuqinxi indirectly reduces fracture risk by improving joint function; Yijinjing shows advantages in gender-related bone mineral density maintenance. Notably, traditional exercises regulate immune cells (such as Th1 cells, regulatory T cells) and oxidative stress pathways, providing a theoretical basis for developing novel exercise intervention programs.
1. Introduction
Osteoporosis has gradually developed into a core public health challenge from a global perspective, with its main clinical symptom being decreased bone mineral density. With the aging of the population, the incidence and progression rate of osteoporosis have been increasing year by year. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 200 million people worldwide are affected by osteoporosis, with a particularly significant prevalence among people over 60 years old [1], especially women over 55 years old (such as postmenopausal women) [2]. In addition, with the aggravation of aging, the risk of fractures induced by osteoporosis increases significantly, especially hip, spine, and wrist fractures.
Conventional drug therapy can alleviate the clinical symptoms of osteoporosis to a certain extent, but long-term use of drugs may be accompanied by adverse reactions, such as gastrointestinal discomfort, renal function damage, and drug dependence [3-4]. Therefore, non-pharmacological treatment strategies, especially traditional Chinese exercises (such as Tai Chi, Baduanjin, Wuqinxi, etc.), have gradually become a focus in the field of osteoporosis research and practice. Studies have found that moderate exercise can significantly enhance bone mineral density, improve bone metabolism, and reduce fracture risk, showing a core effect in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis [5]. However, current review literature mainly focuses on the improvement effects and mechanisms of a single type of traditional exercise on osteoporosis, and few articles systematically review the biological mechanisms and clinical application progress of traditional Chinese exercises in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.
Therefore, this review comprehensively explores the potential biological mechanisms and clinical application progress of traditional Chinese exercises in the treatment of osteoporosis, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for developing novel exercise intervention programs.
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DU Xingbin, JIANG Fugao, KONG Jianda (2026). Traditional Chinese sports in the treatment of osteoporosis: potential biological mechanisms and clinical application progress. Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research. https://doi.org/10.12307/2026.21258
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main traditional Chinese exercises studied for osteoporosis?
The main traditional Chinese exercises studied include Tai Chi Chuan, Baduanjin, Wuqinxi, and Yijinjing.
How do traditional Chinese exercises improve bone health?
They improve bone health through multiple mechanisms, including mechanical loading to regulate bone metabolism, modulating the gut microbiota-bone axis, enhancing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, and endocrine regulation.
Which traditional Chinese exercise is most effective for postmenopausal women?
Tai Chi Chuan has been shown to have particularly significant effects on improving lumbar spine and femoral neck bone mineral density in postmenopausal women.
Can traditional Chinese exercises be combined with drug therapy?
Yes, for example, Baduanjin combined with medication can significantly regulate glucose metabolism and bone turnover, suggesting a synergistic effect.
What is the clinical significance of these findings?
These findings provide evidence for the use of traditional Chinese exercises as non-pharmacological interventions to prevent and treat osteoporosis, potentially reducing fracture risk and improving quality of life in affected populations.
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