title: The development of a Tai Chi exercise regimen for the prevention of conditions requiring long-term care in Japan.
abstract: This study was to examine an effect of such an exercise program on preventing conditions requiring long-term care in the Japanese frail elderly who participated in a Tai Chi Yuttari-exercise program. The first-intervention group underwent an intervention program by participating in a Tai Chi Yuttari-exercise session once a week for 3 months. Each session lasted 90 min including a break time. Moreover, the subjects received a video recording of the exercise, and instructions to carry out the exercise at home. The same program was administered to the second-intervention group. Physical function improved significantly in the first-intervention group, with single-leg balance (SLB) increasing, and trunk anteflexion increasing after the intervention program. Furthermore, the total score of the Motor Fitness Scale (MFS) improved significantly. On the other hand, mono- and multi-variate analyses showed no significant differences observed in the second-intervention group during the study period. A careful interpretation of the results suggests that Tai Chi Yuttari-exercise improves physical function and ability for frail elderly individuals and could reduce the need for long-term care.
authors.affiliation: Division of Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Osaka Health Science University 1-9-27 Temma, Kita-ku, Osaka City, Osaka 530-0043, Japan. nomura-lab@umin.ac.jp
authors.forename: Takuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nomura
authors.forename: Kiyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nagano
authors.forename: Jinro
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Takato
authors.forename: Shouzoh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ueki
authors.forename: Yumi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Matsuzaki
authors.forename: Seiji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yasumura
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D010809:Physical Fitness; D004856:Postural Balance; D026302:Tai Ji