The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of Tai Chi Chuan on static and dynamic balance, and functional fitness in older adults. Forty-nine volunteers were divided into an exercise group (EX: 9 men and 16 women, average age 72 ± 5 years) and control group (13 men and 11 women, average age 73 ± 6 years). The EX participated in a 12-week supervised exercise program (60 min/day, 2 days/week) that consisted of 10-min warm-up and stretching, 40-min Tai Chi Chuan exercise (long-form Yang style with 108 movements), and 10-min cool-down/relaxation exercises. The control group was asked to not change their physical activity habits. Static (sway velocity standing on firm or foam surfaces with eyes open or closed) and dynamic balance (limits of stability (LOS)), as well as functional fitness measures of body mass; upper- and lower-body strength; and flexibility, mobility, and aerobic fitness were taken before and after the intervention. After the 12-week Tai Chi Chuan exercise program, there were no improvements in any functional fitness or balance variable although components of LOS tended to increase (13.1%, p = 0.052). These results indicate that 12 weeks of Tai Chi Chuan exercise has no significant effect on balance and functional fitness parameters in older Japanese adults.

[Purpose] To determine the effects of a 12-week intervention consisting of marching in place and chair rising daily exercise on activities of daily living and functional mobility (ability to quickly rise from a chair and walk) in frail older adults. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty-one participants were divided into exercise (n=18, age=77.6 ± 7.2 years; 11 males, 7 females) and non-exercise (n=13, age=79.6 ± 7.7 years; 7 males, 6 females) groups. The exercise group performed 12 weeks of training, 7 days per week, and 20 minutes per session. The exercise program consisted of low to moderate intensity marching in place and chair rising movements. The speed of movements was gradually increased over time. The Barthel index, mean power during chair stand, and time to complete a 10-m walk were assessed before and after the intervention. [Results] Significant improvements were noted in the exercise group compared to the non-exercise group for the Barthel Index (11.6%), mean power (33%), and 10-M walk (14.6%) with a medium effect size, and relative mean power (power/body mass) (32.9%) with a large effect size. [Conclusion] The progressive marching in place and chair rising exercise intervention appears to be effective in improving activities of daily living and functional mobility among frail older adults.

The threshold of CSMP below which assistance is required to perform ADL in community-dwelling older women was identified.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the eŠects of a 12-week group-based body-weight squat training program on muscle mass, muscle strength, and balance in physically frail community-dwelling older men and women. Fifteen older adults (mean age ＝78.7 yr) who needed assistance performing activities of daily living (ADL) according to long-term care insurance regulations in Japan participated in the study. Participants performed squat exercise in a groupsetting using body-weight as resistance while singing for one set consisting of 48 reps twice weekly for 12 weeks. Body mass, thigh girth, thigh muscle thickness assessed by B-mode ultrasound, knee extension torque (KET), static and dynamic balance (static (SB): sway velocity (SV) standing onˆrm or foam surfaces with eyes open or closed; dynamic (DB): limits of stability) were measured before and after the intervention. Following the intervention, participants signiˆcantly (P＜0.05) decreased body mass and increased KET relative to body mass. Although thigh girth did not change, thigh muscle thickness did increase. There were no appreciable changes in DB nor in SB, except SV standing on aˆrm surface with the eyes open improved. Group-based body-weight squat exercise in physically frail older adults improves muscle mass and strength but has little eŠect on balance parameters.

No abstract