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
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