Tai Chi Chuan, an Alternative Form of Exercise for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention for Older Adults in the Community

Abstract

Thirty-six men and women age fifty or older participated in a study to examine the health effects of Tai Chi Chuan on older adults in a community setting. Participants in the experimental group (n = 23) received thirty-two one-hour sessions of Tai Chi Chuan instruction in sixteen weeks. Health effects were determined by measuring heart rate, blood pressure, muscle tension, anxiety, and flexibility. Results of data analysis indicated participants received training in Tai Chi Chuan had a greater improvement in flexibility and muscle relaxation than participants who did not receive training. In addition to retaining improved flexibility and muscle relaxation, participants in the experimental group also showed significant improvements in blood pressure, anxiety scores at the follow-up session. These results appear to support the beneficial effects of practicing Tai Chi Chuan for health promotion and disease prevention for older adults in the community.

Tai Chi and Low Impact Exercise: Effects on the Physical Functioning and Psychological Well-Being of Older People

“…Previous research has found that participation in both LIE and TC programs has resulted in decreased depressive symptoms (Chen & Sun, 1997;Moore & Brodsgaard, 1999;O'Connor et al, 1993;Singh et al, 1997). Many of these intervention studies lasted longer than 12 weeks; hence, consistent with our trend data, a statistical reduction in depressive symptoms is likely to be attainable if the duration of the intervention is extended.…”

“…Research consistently finds that TC has beneficial effects on cardiovascular function (Lan, Lai, Chen, & Wong, 1998;Young, Appel, Jee, & Miller, 1999), aerobic capacity (Taylor-Piliae & Froelicher, 2004), strength and flexibility (Lan et al, 1998;Lan, Chen, Lai, & Wong, 1999), sleep abilities (Li, Harmer, Fisher, & McAuley, 2004), balance and falls (Hain, Fuller, Weil, & Kotsias, 1999;Li et al, 2004;Thornton, Sykes, & Tang, 2004;Wolf et al, 1996;Wu, 2002), and blood pressure (Thornton et al, 2004). It also has positive effects on psychological well-being, resulting in improvements to self-esteem (Kutner, Barnhart, Wolf, McNeely, & Xu, 1997;Li, Harmer, Chaumeton, Duncan, & Duncan, 2002) and reduced anxiety, depression, and mood disturbance (Brown et al, 1995;Chen & Sun, 1997;Sandlund & Norlander, 2000).…”

“…More specific, it is hypothesized that people participating in the LIE intervention should experience a greater increase in grip strength and increased functional abilities than those participating in the TC group. Those participating in the TC group should experience greater increases to their balance (Hain et al, 1999;Li et al, 2004;Thornton et al, 2004;Wolf et al, 1996;Wu, 2002), improvements to their sleep (Li et al, 2004), reduced anxiety and depression (Brown et al, 1995;Chen & Sun, 1997;Sandlund & Norlander, 2000), and better overall subjective health (Hart et al, 2004) than those participating in the LIE group. In addition to these differences, it is expected that there will be some shared benefits to those participating in either TC or LIE that ensue as a function of the more general benefits from participation in exercise.…”

Tai Chi Chuan, health-related quality of life and self-esteem: A randomized trial with breast cancer survivors

“…These studies investigated traditional modes of exercise, to which patients often have difficulty adhering/complying. A form of exercise that may be particularly appropriate for breast cancer survivors is the practice of Tai Chi Chuan (TCC), which is rapidly gaining popularity in the United States [10]. It is an easily modifiable, low-to-moderate intensity form of physical exercise with psychological, physiological, and sociological benefits [18,19].…”

The Effects of Tai Chi and Neck Exercises in the Treatment of Chronic Nonspecific Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Patients with such disorders frequently benefit from Tai Chi, as do elderly subjects with enhanced risk of falls and fractures23 . Tai Chi has also been found beneficial for several neurological 1, 12, 49, 68 , psychological 59 and cardiovascular conditions 65 .The modes of action of Tai Chi are not understood completely, they might include general effects due to exercise such as increased flexibility and mobility of structures; improved muscle strength and endurance, increased tensile strength of ligaments and capsules; increased cardiovascular function, reduced stress, anxiety and depression; and changes in health beliefs and health related locus of control 33 .Tai Chi in particular may act via improved postural control as indicated by increases in balance and reduced falls8,25, 46, 50, 64 . Specific mechanisms of postural control relevant to neck pain may be better muscle tone due to increased muscle strength28,30,36 and better kinesthetic control due to improved interoceptive or proprioceptive awareness 43 .…”