title: The Effect of an 8-Week Tai Chi Exercise Program on Physical Functional Performance in Middle-Aged Women.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of an 8-week Tai Chi Chih exercise program on physical functional performance (PFP) among women aged 45 to 65 years. A quasi-experimental design with a nonequivalent comparison group was used. Forty-one healthy inactive women were assigned to either an intervention group (n = 19) or a comparison group (n = 19). A 60-min Tai Chi Chih exercise class was conducted twice a week for 8 weeks. PFP was measured at baseline and postintervention using the Continuous Scale Physical Functional Performance-10 (CS-PFP 10). Between-group differences were analyzed using one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). After participating in the 8-week program, intervention group participants showed greater improvement in the CS-PFP measures (p < .05, η(2) > .06). However, the comparison group had little changes. The findings from this study suggest that participation in an 8-week Tai Chi Chih exercise program can improve PFP in healthy, community-dwelling middle-aged women.
authors.affiliation: University of Oklahoma, Norman, USA szacharia@ou.edu.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zacharia
authors.affiliation: University of Oklahoma, Norman, USA.
authors.forename: E Laurette
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: University of Oklahoma, Norman, USA.
authors.forename: Craig W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Hofford
authors.affiliation: University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, USA.
authors.forename: Danielle R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Brittain
authors.affiliation: University of Oklahoma, Norman, USA.
authors.forename: Paul W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Branscum
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D026302:Tai Ji / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Tai Chi; exercise; physical functional performance; women