Author: Zou L1, Loprinzi PD2, Yu JJ3, Yang L4,5, Li C6, Yeung AS7, Kong Z8, Chiou SY9, Xiao T10
Affiliation:
1Lifestyle (Mind-Body Movement) Research Center, College of Sports Science, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China. liyezou123@gmail.com.
2Department of Health, Exercise Science and Recreation Management, The University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA. pdloprin@olemiss.edu.
3Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China. jieyu0203@gmail.com.
4Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Research, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB T2S 3C3, Canada. lin.yang@ahs.ca.
5Departments of Oncology and Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4Z6, Canada. lin.yang@ahs.ca.
6Physical Education and Sport Science Academic Group, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, 1 Nanyang Walk, Singapore 637616, Singapore. cxlilee@gmail.com.
7Depression Clinical and Research Program at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. ayeung@mgh.harvard.edu.
8Faculty of Education, University of Macau, Macao, China. zwkong@um.edu.mo.
9School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK. s.chiou12@imperial.ac.uk.
10College of Mathematics and Statistics, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China. taoxiao@szu.edu.cn.
Conference/Journal: Brain Sci.
Date published: 2019 May 4
Other:
Volume ID: 9 , Issue ID: 5 , Special Notes: doi: 10.3390/brainsci9050102. , Word Count: 232
BACKGROUND: Cognitive decline and balance impairment are prevalent in the aging population. Previous studies investigated the beneficial effects of 24-style Tai Chi (TC-24) on either cognitive function or balance performance of older adults. It still remains largely unknown whether modified Chen-style TC (MTC) that includes 18 complex movements is more beneficial for these age-related health outcomes, as compared to TC-24.
OBJECTIVE: We investigated if MTC would show greater effects than TC-24 on global cognitive function and balance-related outcomes among older adults.
METHODS: We conducted a randomized trial where 80 eligible adults aged over 55 were allocated into two different styles of Tai Chi (TC) arms (sixty-minute session × three times per week, 12 weeks). Outcome assessments were performed at three time periods (baseline, Week 6, and Week 12) and included the Chinese Version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) for overall cognitive function, One-leg Standing Test (LST) for static balance, Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT) for dynamic balance, chair Stand Test (CST) for leg power, and the six-meter Walk Test (6MWT) for aerobic exercise capacity.
RESULTS: Compared to TC-24 arm, MTC arm demonstrated significantly greater improvements in MoCA, LST, TUGT, CST, and 6MWT (all p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Both forms of TC were effective in enhancing global cognitive function, balance, and fitness. Furthermore, MTC was more effective than TC-24 in enhancing these health-related parameters in an aging population.
KEYWORDS: Tai Chi; aging; balance; cognition; mind-body exercise
PMID: 31060221 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci9050102
