Effectiveness of a community-based Tai Chi program and implications for public health initiatives.
OBJECTIVE
To establish whether the reported beneficial physiologic effects of Tai Chi when performed under stringent experimental conditions can be generalized to the community.


METHODS
Phase 1: pre-post comparison in a group inexperienced in Tai Chi. Phase 2: baseline comparison between inexperienced and experienced Tai Chi groups.


METHODS
A community in Hong Kong.


METHODS
Phase 1: 51 subjects inexperienced in Tai Chi (novice group) participated in the program. Phase 2: baseline measures of the novice group were compared with those of an experienced group (n=49) who had practiced Tai Chi for at least 6 months.


METHODS
A Cheng 119 style program was taught by a Tai Chi master for 1.5 hours, 3 times weekly, for 12 weeks.


METHODS
Lung function and physical activity evaluated before and after the completion of the program. Resting heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, handgrip strength, flexibility, and balance measured at the program commencement, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks.


RESULTS
Phase 1: after the program, the novice group had increased handgrip strength, flexibility, and peak expiratory flow rate. Phase 2: the experienced group had greater flexibility, lower resting heart rate but higher diastolic blood pressure than the novice group prior to training.


CONCLUSIONS
A community-based Tai Chi program produces beneficial effects comparable to those reported from experimental laboratory trials of Tai Chi; therefore, it should be considered as a public health strategy.
Jones
Alice Y
AY
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong.
Dean
Elizabeth
E
Scudds
Rhonda J
RJ
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011634:Public Health; D012046:Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods*; D026302:Tai Ji; D016896:Treatment Outcome