title: Practicing Tai Chi had lower energy metabolism than walking but similar health benefits in terms of aerobic fitness, resting energy expenditure, body composition and self-perceived physical health.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effects of Tai Chi and walking training on aerobic fitness, resting energy expenditure (REE), body composition, and quality of life; as well as analyzing the energy metabolism during exercises, to determine which one had better advantage in improving health status.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three hundred seventy-four middle-aged Chinese subjects who were recruited from nine geographic areas in Sha Tin were randomized into Tai Chi, walking, or control groups at area level. The 12-week (45min per day, 5days per week) Tai Chi or brisk walking training were conducted in respective intervention groups. Measures were performed at baseline and end of trial. Another 30 subjects were recruited to compare the energy metabolism between practicing Tai Chi and walking.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The between-group difference of VO2max was 3.3ml/min/kg for Tai Chi vs. control and 3.7ml/min/kg for walking vs. control (both P<0.001). BMI, skinfold thicknesses, and SF-12 physical component scores all improved significantly compared with the control group (all P<0.01). Tai Chi had higher effect on improving REE-VO2 and REE-kilocalorie expenditure than walking. Regarding to energy metabolism test, the self-paced walking produced approximately 46% higher metabolic costs than Tai Chi.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Practicing Tai Chi consumes a smaller amount of energy metabolism but similar health benefits as self-paced brisk walking.
authors: Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Electronic address: hui2162@cuhk.edu.hk.
authors: Stanley Sai-Chuen
authors: SS
authors: Hui
authors: School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hunghom, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Electronic address: grace.yj.xie@polyu.edu.hk.
authors: Yao Jie
authors: YJ
authors: Xie
authors: Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Electronic address: jeanwoowong@cuhk.edu.hk.
authors: Jean
authors: J
authors: Woo
authors: Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Electronic address: tkwok@cuhk.edu.hk.
authors: Timothy Chi-Yui
authors: TC
authors: Kwok
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012146:Rest / Q000502:physiology; D012649:Self Concept; D026302:Tai Ji / Q000379:methods; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Body composition; Clinical trial; Mind-body exercise; Physical activity; SF-12; VO(2)max