Tai Chi, self-efficacy, and physical function in the elderly.
Using Tai Chi as an exercise mode, this study examined the association between self-efficacy and physical function. Ninety-four healthy, physically inactive older adults (M age = 72.8 years, SD = 5.1) were randomly assigned to either a 6-month, twice a week, Tai Chi condition or a wait-list control condition. Outcome variables included self-reports of movement efficacy and physical function assessed at baseline, middle, and termination of the study. Multisample latent curve analyses revealed a significant rate of change attributable to the Tai Chi intervention in both self-efficacy and physical function, with participants experiencing significant improvements over the course of the intervention. Analyses also showed a positive association between self-efficacy and physical function, indicating that improvements in older adults' self-efficacy of movement as a function of Tai Chi were related to increased levels of perceived physical capability. This study uncovered the need for further exploration of the relationship between exercise self-efficacy and physical function for enhancing health-related quality of life in older adults.
Li
F
F
Oregon Research Institute, Eugene, 97403, USA. fuzhongl@ori.org
Harmer
P
P
McAuley
E
E
Fisher
K J
KJ
Duncan
T E
TE
Duncan
S C
SC
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D026302:Tai Ji / Q000523:psychology*; D013997:Time Factors