# Research Progress on Dance Training as a Mechanical Stimulus for the Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis: A Narrative Review

## TL;DR

This review explores how dance training can act as a mechanical stimulus to improve bone health and potentially prevent or treat osteoporosis.

## Contribution

The paper provides a narrative review highlighting the potential of dance as a mechanical stimulus for osteoporosis prevention and treatment.

## Key findings

- Dance training can enhance bone density and promote skeletal health through mechanical stimulation.
- Dance activates cellular signaling pathways that regulate bone metabolism and reduce bone loss.
- More research is needed to clarify optimal dance styles, intensities, and frequencies for osteoporosis management.

## Abstract

From a mechanical stimulation perspective, this study aims to explore the mechanisms by which dance training affects bone metabolism and to clarify its potential as a preventive and therapeutic measure for osteoporosis (OP). A comprehensive search was conducted on the PubMed, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases, utilizing search terms related to dance, mechanical stimulation, and OP. The present study incorporated a wide range of research methodologies, including randomized controlled trials, observational studies, systematic reviews, and narrative reviews, with the overarching objective of encompassing all pertinent concepts within the purview of our investigation. The synthesis and description of the search results were conducted through a narrative approach. A preliminary investigation of extant literature suggests that studies that comprehensively delineate the mechanism of action between dance and OP are few and far between. However, a thorough review of the extant literature indicates that dance training can enhance bone density and promote skeletal health by influencing mechanical characteristics. Concurrently, dance can function as a mechanical stimulus, thereby regulating bone metabolism by activating relevant cellular signaling pathways, thus contributing to the reduction of bone loss. Dance training, as a form of mechanical stimulation, has the potential to play a crucial role in the prevention and treatment of OP. However, the precise nature of the dance styles, the training intensities and frequencies remains unclear. It is recommended that future research endeavors concentrate on the comprehensive integration of these measures, with the objective of addressing the existing knowledge gaps. This approach is expected to provide a more robust evidence base for the utilization of dance-based strategies in the prevention and management of OP.