THE EFFECT OF A NEW EXERCISE PROGRAM INCLUDING TAI CHI CHUAN AND KUNG FU GYMNASTICS ELEMENTS FOR THE PHYSICAL FITNESS OF OLDER SUBJECTS WHO HAVE LOWER PHYSICAL FITNESS
- VernacularTitle:太極拳及びカンフー体操を取り入れた転倒予防トレーニングの体力低下高齢者の体力に及ぼす効果の検証
- Author:
HUI GUO
;
KAIJUN NIU
;
HIDENORI YANO
;
KYOUKO OGAMO
;
KINUE NAKAJIMA
;
YUN WANG
;
AKIRA MOTOKAWA
;
LEIKO SUZUKI
;
KAZUKI FUJITA
;
TERUKI SAITOU
;
RYOICHI NAGATOMI
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Tai Chi Chuan;
physical fitness;
Kung Fu gymnastics;
aging
- From:Japanese Journal of Physical Fitness and Sports Medicine
2007;56(2):241-256
- CountryJapan
- Language:Japanese
-
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to determine whether improved physical fitness through a new exercise program intervention including elements of Tai Chi Chuan and Kung Fu gymnastics among elderly people who have lower physical. Eighty older adults with less physical strength aged 71-89 (mean age±SD=77.3±3.9), recruited from Tsurugaya area of Sendai, participated in a 3-month randomized controlled trial, with allocation to a new exercise program or well-accepted exercise program control. Physical performance measures included the timed up and go test (TUGT), the functional reach test, a 6 min continuous walking test, and the sit-and-reach test were conducted before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed through on-treatment-analysis of variance. After training, although no significant between-groups differences were observed for all the measures, TUGT, which is recommended as a simple screening tool to identify those at risk of falling was improved in both groups following the intervention (P<0.05). The findings revealed that the new exercise program including Tai Chi Chuan and Kung Fu gymnastics element could improve physical fitness to a similar level as the well-accepted exercise program.
