Curriculum, Practice, and Diet Predict Health Among Experienced Taiji and Qigong Practitioners.


Author: Komelski MF1, Blieszner R1, Miyazaki Y2.

Affiliation: 11 Department of Human Development, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University , Blacksburg, VA. 22 School of Education, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University , Blacksburg, VA.
Conference/Journal: J Altern Complement Med.
Date published: 2015 Dec 18
Other:
  Word Count: 171  
    

OBJECTIVE:

To explore the potential influence of curriculum, frequency of practice, and dietary quality on the health of experienced Taiji and qigong practitioners.

DESIGN:

Theoretical and cross-sectional study.

METHODS:

Responses from a volunteer sample of Taiji practitioners from across the United States were collected using an online survey. The instrument was designed to collect data on health-related quality of life, diet, and Taiji practice regimens. All experienced (≥4 years) practitioners (n = 94; mean age, 55.82 years [range, 24-83 years]) were included in the analysis. Relationships among self-reported health, diet, experience, practice frequency, and curricular complexity were analyzed.

RESULTS:

Practitioners' health status did not show the typical negative association with age and was positively associated with complex curricula, practice, and high-quality diets. Significant interaction effects were seen between (1) curricular complexity and additional practice (p < 0.05) and (2) curricular complexity and diet (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:

Intervention designers, Taiji teachers, and practitioners should consider the potential influence of curricula, out-of-class practice, and healthy diets for optimizing health-related gains and minimizing age-related losses in interventions and community-based programs.

PMID: 26684360