Base on the available data, it looks pretty good.
Researchers from the New England School of Acupuncture in Watertown, Massachusetts searched the medical literature and found 6 studies in women worth considering (the studies that is).
- Novice tai chi practitioners benefited by reduced rates of decline in bone mineral density (BMD; a measure of the risk of fracture) after menopause.
- Long-term tai chi practitioners had higher BMD than age-matched sedentary people who did not practice tai chi.
- They also had slower rates of postmenopausal BMD decline.
- No adverse effects related to tai chi were reported in any trial.
The bottom line?
Tai chi is safe, and there is a positive association with BMD in women.
The most challenging study for any researcher is to determine if there is a difference in the risk of fracture over the long-term. It would be useful to study this in postmenopausal women (and men).
Regardless, tai chi is a good way to stay active as we grow older.
5/28/07 19:18 JR