Functional fitness and fall risk in older adults practitioners or non-practitioners of Tai Chi
Author: Rossana Gómez-Campos1, Rubén Vidal-Espinoza2, Sebastián Vega-Novoa3, Marcella Silva Ramos de Lázari4, Luis Urzua-Alul5, Margot Rivera Portugal6, Christian De la Torre Choque7, Marco Cossio-Bolaños8
Affiliation:
1 Department of Physical Activity Sciences, Maule Catholic University, Talca, Chile; Faculty of Education, Psychology and Sport Sciences of the University of Huelva, Huelva. rossaunicamp@gmail.com.
2 Silva Henriquez Catholic University, Santiago. rvidal@gmail.com.
3 Department of Physical Activity Sciences, Maule Catholic University, Talca. sveganovoa@gmail.com.
4 Faculty of Medical Sciences (FCM) - UNICAMP, Sao Paulo. marcellasramos@uol.com.br.
5 School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health, Santo Tomás University. lurzuaa@santomas.cl.
6 National University of San Agustín de Arequipa. mar2608@hotmail.com.
7 San Ignacio de Loyola University, Lima. cdelatorrec@usil.edu.pe.
8 Department of Physical Activity Sciences, Maule Catholic University, Talca, Chile; Faculty of Education, Psychology and Sport Sciences of the University of Huelva. mcossio1972@hotmail.com.
Conference/Journal: Eur J Transl Myol
Date published: 2023 May 18
Other:
Special Notes: doi: 10.4081/ejtm.2023.11155. , Word Count: 264
Tai chi is a fundamental tool that has a significant influence on balance, motor function and fear of falling among older adults. The objective of the study was to verify functional fitness and fall risk in older adults (OA) practitioners and non-practitioners of Tai Chi. An ex-post-facto study was carried out in practicing and non-practicing OA of Tai chi. The sample selection was non-probabilistic (convenience). Thirty-one adults with an age range of 65 to 80 years were studied. Two study groups were formed: Group practicing Tai Chi [GPT (n= 15 subjects)] and Group not practicing Tai Chi [GNPT (n= 16 subjects)]. Age, weight, height, waist circumference were assessed. Body mass index (BMI) and fat mass (FM) were calculated. Five functional fitness tests were assessed: biceps curl (30sec), Chair stand (30sec), agility (sec), 2min walk (#rep) and 6min-1 walk (m). Fall risk was measured using a 13-item scale. The GPT showed better performance in all five functional fitness tests (biceps curl, Chair stand, agility, 2min gait and 6min walk) compared to the GPT. The effect size (ES: ~0.20 to 0.48) and Cohen's d (~ 0.39 to 1.10) between both groups were medium to large. There were also differences between the mean values in fall risk between both groups (GNPT: 2.1±1.7points and GNPT: 4.7±1.9points, p<0.05). This study demonstrated that the group of OA practicing Tai Chi presented better levels of functional fitness and less risk of falling in relation to their counterparts who did not practice Tai Chi. These results suggest including this type of old-time exercise in physical activity programs that promote functional fitness wellness and fall prevention among OA.
PMID: 37199220 DOI: 10.4081/ejtm.2023.11155
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