Background:
The literature lacks studies comparing the effects of traditional Chinese exercises, Qigong Yijinjing (YJJ) and Baduanjin (BDJ), with resistance training (RT) on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone metabolism in older adults.
Objective:
This study investigated the effects of regular RT, YJJ, and BDJ exercises training, combined with oral Caltrate D supplementation, on lumbar spine and proximal femur BMD and serum bone metabolism indices in older women.
Methods:
Eighty-four older women were randomly divided into the RT group (RG, n = 21), YJJ group (YG, n = 22), BDJ group (BG, n = 21) and control group (CG, n = 20). These groups performed the assigned exercises for 24 weeks (3 times/week, 60 min/time). The BMD of the lumbar L2-4 and proximal femur, as well as serum bone metabolism indices, were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and an automatic chemiluminescence apparatus, respectively.
Results:
At week 24, compared to the CG, the RG, YG, and BG had significantly higher BMD and procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (PINP) levels in the lumbar L2-4 region (BMD: p = 0.049, p = 0.016, p = 0.040; PINP: p = 0.026, p = 0.029, p = 0.020), and lower β-carboxy-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type 1 collagen (β-CTX) levels (p = 0.001, p = 0.012, p = 0.042). Intragroup comparison between baseline and week 24 data revealed that in RG, YG, and BG, lumbar L2-4 BMD (RG: p = 0.036, YG: p = 0.002, BG: p = 0.022) and PINP (RG: p = 0.020, YG: p = 0.001, BG: p = 0.001) increased, whereas β-CTX (RG: p = 0.003, YG: p < 0.001, BG: p = 0.008) decreased.
Conclusions:
RT, YJJ and BDJ combined with Caltrate D for 24 weeks can increase lumbar BMD, increase the bone formation marker PINP and decrease the bone resorption marker β-CTX in older women but had no significant effect on the BMD of the proximal femur. YJJ and BDJ had the same effect on improving BMD in the older adults as RT with the same exercise cycle and frequency.
Keywords: Baduanjin; Bone mineral density; Older women; Resistance training; Yijinjing.
PMID: 40148837 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-025-04849-3
