The effects of Tai-Chi in conjunction with thera-band resistance exercise on functional fitness and muscle strength among community-based older people.

Lin, Shu-Fen; Sung, Huei-Chuan; Li, Tzai-Li; Hsieh, Tsung-Cheng; Lan, Hsiao-Chin; Perng, Shoa-Jen; Smith, Graeme D

Abstract

Aims and objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Tai-Chi in conjunction with thera-band resistance exercise on functional fitness and muscle strength in community-based older people.

Background

Tai-Chi is known to improve functional fitness in older people. Tai-Chi is usually performed with free hands without resistance training and usually focuses on training lower limbs. To date, no study has examined the use of Tai-Chi in conjunction with thera-band resistance exercise in this population.

Design

Cluster randomised trial design.

Methods

Older people at six senior day care centres in Taiwan were assigned to thera-band resistance exercise or control group using a cluster randomisation. The thera-band resistance exercise group (n = 48) received sixty minute thera-band resistance exercise twice weekly for a period of 16 weeks. The control group (n = 47) underwent routine activities in the day care centre, receiving no Tai-Chi or resistance exercise.

Results

After receiving the thera-band resistance exercise, intervention participants displayed a significant increase in muscle strength of upper and lower extremities. Significant improvements were recorded on most measures of the Senior Fitness Test, with the exception of the chair-stand and back-scratch test.

Citation

Lin, S., Sung, H., Li, T., Hsieh, T., Lan, H., Perng, S., & Smith, G. D. (2015). The effects of Tai-Chi in conjunction with thera-band resistance exercise on functional fitness and muscle strength among community-based older people. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 24(9-10), 1357-1366. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.12751

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: 2015
• Deposit Date: Feb 2, 2015
• Print ISSN: 0962-1067
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 24
• Issue: 9-10
• Pages: 1357-1366
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.12751
• Keywords: functional fitness; muscle strength; older adult; resistance exercise; Tai-Chi; thera-band
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/id/eprint/7529
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jocn.12751