| Objective To explore the effect of Chinese traditional fitness Qigong, Yi Jinjing, Five-animal exercise, and Eight section brocade on bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine and proximal femur in elderly women. Methods The age, height, and weight were matched among Yi Jinjing group (n=22), Five-animal exercise group (n=22), Eight section brocade group (n=21), and control group (n=25) in the study. The exercise lasted for 24 weeks (5 days/week, 70 minutes/time). BMD of the L2-4 and the proximal femur of the 4 groups were tested. Results After 24 weeks, BMD of lumbar L2-4 in Yi JinJing group and Eight section brocade group increased by 12% and 11%, respectively (P<0.05). BMD of the L2-4 in the lumbar vertebra of Five-animal exercise group increased by 5.6%, and there was no significant change (P>0.05). BMD of lumbar spine L2-4 in Yi JinJing group and Eight section brocade group were significantly higher (12% and 9.8%, respectively) than that in control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Yi Jinjing and Eight section brocade exercise increase the BMD of the lumbar L2-4 in elder women. The effect of three kinds of Qigong on BMD of the proximal femur is not obvious. |