Effectiveness of Tai Chi on Physical and Psychological Health of College Students: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial.


Author: Zheng G1, Lan X1, Li M1, Ling K2, Lin H2, Chen L3, Tao J1, Li J1, Zheng X1, Chen B1, Fang Q1.

Affiliation: 1College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, China. 2Department of Physical Education, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, China. 3Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, China.
Conference/Journal: PLoS One.
Date published: 2015 Jul 6
Other:
 Volume ID: 10   ,  Issue ID: 7   ,  Pages: e0132605   ,  Special Notes: doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132605   ,  Word Count: 236  
    

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the effectiveness and safety of Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) on physical and psychological health of college students.

METHODS:

Two hundred six college students were recruited and randomly allocated to a control group or a TCC exercise group in an equal ratio. Participants in the control group were instructed to maintain their original activity level and those in the TCC exercise group received 12 weeks of TCC exercise training based on their original activity level. Physical and psychological outcomes were evaluated at baseline, 13 weeks and 25 weeks. Intention-to-treat analysis was performed for the above outcomes.

RESULTS:

Compared with the control group, the TCC exercise group showed significant improvements at the end of the 12-week intervention period for flexibility (length of Sit and Reach (cm): TCC group 14.09±7.40 versus control 12.88±6.57, P = 0.039 adjusted for its baseline measures using a general linear model) and balance ability (open eyes perimeter: TCC group 235.6(191~314) versus control 261(216~300); closed eyes perimeter: TCC group 370.5 (284~454) versus control 367 (293~483); P = 0.0414, 0.008, respectively, adjusted for corresponding baseline measures using a general linear model). No significant changes in other physical and mental outcomes were found between the two groups. No adverse events were reported during the study period.

CONCLUSION:

TCC exercise was beneficial in college students for improving flexibility and balance capability to some extent, compared with usual exercise.

TRIAL REGISTRATION:

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR-TRC-13003328.

PMID: 26147842 [PubMed - in process] PMCID: PMC4492604 



http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4492604/