Therapeutic benefits of Tai Chi exercise

Research review

Kuramoto AM.

Source

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee College of Nursing, WI, USA. alicek@uwm.edu

Abstract

The majority of studies on Tai Chi conducted between 1996 and 2004 had focused on health and well being of Tai Chi exercise for senior adults. The results show that Tai Chi may lead to improved balance, reduced fear of falling, increased strength, increased functional mobility, greater flexibility, and increased psychological well-being, sleep enhancement for sleep disturbed elderly individuals, and increased cardio functioning. Wang, Collet, and Lau did a systematic review on Tai Chi research and found some limitations or biases existing in some of the studies, and it was difficult to draw firm conclusions about the benefits reported.

Therefore, more well-designed studies are needed in the future. There need to be studies on the effects on younger and middle-aged people. More longitudinal studies are needed, since time is an important factor of physical and psychological interventions. Studies on the effects of Tai Chi on the immune system and bone loss reduction are still very exploratory and will be especially useful for arthritis patients and others with immune disorders.

Future studies should investigate outcomes associated with Tai Chi training as a function of different instructional techniques, different Tai Chi styles, different diagnostic groups, and different age groups. It is not yet clear which of the components in Tai Chi makes the exercise form especially effective for seniors.

Tai Chi exercise is a relatively "low tech" approach to preventing disability and maintaining physical performance in older adults. The positive effects of Tai Chi may be due solely to its relaxing, meditative aspects.

The current data suggest that Tai Chi can influence older individuals' functioning and well being and provide some appreciation for why this exercise form has been practiced by older Chinese for more than 3 centuries.

Quelle:  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17163086





Full Text / pdf / Link - online im internet - Zugriff vom 04.10.12:

http://www.wisconsinmedicalsociety.org/_WMS/publications/wmj/issues/wmj_v105n7/kuramoto.pdf



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Balance and strength training in older adults

Intervention gains and Tai Chi maintenance

Wolfson L, Whipple R, Derby C, Judge J, King M, Amerman P, Schmidt J, Smyers D.

Source

Department of Neurology, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Hartford, USA.

Abstract

 

OBJECTIVE: 

 

To determine the effect on balance and strength of 3 months of intensive balance and/or weight training followed by 6 months of low intensity Tai Chi training for maintenance of gains.

DESIGN: 

 

Randomized control intervention. Four groups in 2 x 2 design: Control, Balance, Strength, Balance + Strength, using blinded testers.

SETTING: 

 

Exercise and balance laboratory at University of Connecticut Health Center.

PARTICIPANTS: 

 

Subjects were 110 healthy community dwellers (mean age 80) who were free of dementia, neurological disease, and serious cardiovascular or musculoskeletal conditions.

INTERVENTIONS: 

 

Short-term training (3 months) occurred 3 times/week (45 minutes Balance and Strength, 90 minutes Balance + Strength). Balance training included equilibrium control exercises of firm and foam surfaces and center-of-pressure biofeedback. Strengthening consisted of lower extremity weight-lifting. All subjects than received long-term group Tai Chi instruction (6 months, 1 hour, 1 time/week).

MEASUREMENTS: 

 

Losses of balance during Sensory Organization Testing (LOB), single stance time (SST), voluntary limits of stability (FBOS), summed isokinetic torque of eight lower extremity movements (ISOK), and usual gait velocity (GVU).

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: 

 

Balance training meaningfully improved all balance measures by restoring performance to a level analogous to an individual 3 to 10 years younger: LOB = -2.0 +/- 0.3 (adjusted paired differences, P < .005 ANOVA); SST = 7.0 +/- 1.2 sec; and FBOS = 9.0 +/- 2.0% of foot length (P < .05). Strengthening increased ISOK by 1.1 +/- 0.1 Nm kg-1 (P < .005). There was no interaction between balance and strength training. Significant gains persisted after 6 months of Tai Chi, although there was some decrement.

Quelle:   http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8617896



Full Text / pdf -  Balance and strength training in older adults: intervention gains and Tai Chi maintenance. von:  Wolfson L, Whipple R, Derby C, Judge J, King M, Amerman P, Schmidt J, Smyers D. - online im internet - Zugriff 30.09.2012:

http://www.white-lotus.com/Ken%20Documents/Balance%20and%20Strength%20Training%20in%20Older%20Adults%20Study.pdf

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