title: Effects of Tai Chi training on arterial compliance and muscle strength in female seniors: a randomized clinical trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Exercise which can improve muscle strength while not compromising arterial compliance is especially needed for older adults. Tai Chi practitioners are known to have better than average arterial compliance and muscle strength. This study was designed to establish a cause and effect relationship between Tai Chi training and both increased arterial compliance and increased muscle strength.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a single blind randomized clinical trial, 31 elderly women were randomly assigned to receive either Tai Chi training or an education programme, three sessions per week for 16 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After training, the subjects in the Tai Chi group showed significant improvements in arterial compliance and eccentric knee extensor strength. The subjects in the control group showed no significant improvement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Practising Tai Chi can improve the eccentric knee extensor strength and arterial compliance of elderly women. Tai Chi maybe a good exercise choice to improve the cardiovascular health and muscle strength of the elderly.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong (SAR), China.
authors.forename: Xi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Christina W Y
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Hui-Chan
authors.forename: William W N
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Tsang
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003187:Compliance; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength; D053581:Muscle Strength Dynamometer; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D063177:Pulse Wave Analysis; D017534:Radial Artery / Q000502:physiology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D026302:Tai Ji; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D059289:Vascular Stiffness