The Effect of Different Traditional Chinese Exercises on Blood Lipid in Middle-Aged and Elderly Individuals: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

Author: Yanan Gao1,2, Lei Yu1,2, Xiaohan Li1,2, Chen Yang3, Aiwen Wang1,2, Huiming Huang1,2
Affiliation:
1 Faculty of Sports Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China.
2 Research Academy of Grand Health, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China.
3 Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, McGill University, Montreal, QC H2W 1S4, Canada.
Conference/Journal: Life (Basel)
Date published: 2021 Jul 19
Other: Volume ID: 11 , Issue ID: 7 , Pages: 714 , Special Notes: doi: 10.3390/life11070714. , Word Count: 254


Although the impact of physical exercise on blood lipids is well documented, less information is available regarding the effect of traditional Chinese exercises (TCEs), and it is unclear what the best TCE treatment for dyslipidemia in middle-aged and elderly individuals is. The aim of this study was to systematically assess the effects of TCEs (Taijiquan, TJQ; Wuqinxi, WQX; Baduanjin, BDJ; Liuzijue, LZJ; Yijinjing, YJJ; Dawu, DW) on blood lipids in middle-aged and elderly individuals. Chinese and English databases were searched, including PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, Chongqing VIP, and Web of Science. A total of 42 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) including 2977 subjects were analyzed. Outcome indicators include total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triacylglyceride (TAG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Summary mean differences (MD) were calculated using pairwise and network meta-analysis with a random-effects model. The results of this study showed that compared to non-exercise intervention (NEI), all six kinds of TCE treatment had some kind of influence on blood lipid indicators, among which WQX and TJQ could improve all four blood lipid indicators, whereas BDJ was effective on three indicators but not on TC. The results of cumulative probability ranking showed that WQX (84.9%, 73.8%, 63.4%, 63.1% to TC, TAG, HDL-C, LDL-C, respectively) was at the top spot being the best intervention, followed by BDJ (55.6%, 83.7%, 68.4%, 56.1%) and TJQ (73.7%, 47.6%, 63.1%, 54.1%). The network meta-analysis of RCTs demonstrates that WQX may be the best TCE treatment for dyslipidemia in middle-aged and elderly individuals.

Keywords: dyslipidemia; exercise therapy; middle-aged and aged; network meta-analysis; traditional Chinese exercises.

PMID: 34357085 PMCID: PMC8305451 DOI: 10.3390/life11070714

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