Effects of tai chi ball on balance and physical function in older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

PMID: 25597568

The increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) in older adults is a major health concern, because the risk of injurious falls and physical disability is two to three times as great in older adults with diabetes mellitus as in those without.[1] This greater risk is presumably because individuals with DM have chronically high blood glucose levels, which can affect the sensorimotor receptors in the lower extremities, compromising an important mechanism for balance control.[2] Long-term practice of tai chi ball combined with music training can significantly improve the physical function of individuals with DM and improve their glucose and lipid parameters.[3] The purpose of this study was to investigate whether tai chi ball exercise may be an appropriate treatment strategy to improve balance control and decrease the risk of falling in this population.

The results of this study indicate that tai chi ball exercise may improve balance, flexibility, muscle strength, and aerobic endurance strength, thereby ultimately reducing the risk of falls. These findings can contribute to the future planning of community-based exercise programs for older adults with DM.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jgs.13207/full