Effects of Taiji Stick exercise on strength, balance, and activities of daily living in older adults

A randomized controlled trial

Dados Bibliográficos

ID22073752
AutoresLongfei Cao (Jiangsu Vocational Institute of Commerce), Xiaoxiao Dong (0000-0002-2557-5877, Nanjing Sport Institute), Kai Qi (0000-0002-5170-8848, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport), Chunhui Zhou (0000-0003-4079-7475, Shanghai University of Sport), Aiguo Chen (0000-0002-3712-2349, Nanjing Sport Institute, autor correspondente)
Ano2025
Volume13
Páginas1647055-1647055
Data de publicação2025-09-23
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
EditoraFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2025.1647055
PMID41063946
OpenAlexW4414443954
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas2
Referências citadas53

Background With advancing age, older adults experience an accelerated decline in physical function. The progressive decline not only compromises overall well-being but also precipitates numerous serious complications, including an increased likelihood of falls and bone injuries, and in more advanced stages, a diminished ability to carry out daily tasks independently. Numerous studies have shown that engagement in Health Qigong and Taijiquan exercises contributes to better physical functioning and facilitates the completion of everyday activities in senior populations. The positive outcomes observed in previous studies provide the theoretical foundation and practical basis for the current investigation. An 11-week Taiji Stick exercise regimen was implemented to explore its impact on grip and lower limb strength, dynamic balance, and daily functional activities in older individuals. Methods A randomized controlled design was employed. Thirty-five older adults were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group engaged in an 11-week Taiji Stick exercise program, held three times weekly for 45 min per session. Participants in the control group continued with their routine daily activities without receiving any form of intervention. Grip strength was assessed using a portable digital dynamometer. Lower limb muscular strength was evaluated through the Five Times Sit-to-Stand test (5STS), while dynamic balance was measured via the Timed Up and Go test (TUG). The Barthel Index served to examine participant’s activities of daily living (ADL). Results (1) After the intervention, the experimental group showed no significant change in right-hand grip strength [pre-test: 19.00 (15.65, 24.45), post-test: 19.40 (16.15, 25.20); p = 0.185, | r | ≈ 0.32], whereas the control group exhibited a significant decrease in right-hand grip strength [pre-test: 17.15 (14.18, 23.68), post-test: 16.75 (13.03, 23.48); p = 0.001, | r | ≈ 0.79]. (2) Following the intervention, the experimental group demonstrated significant improvements in lower limb strength [pre-test: 15.00 (13.40, 20.00), post-test:12.30 (9.55, 15.20); p 0.05, η p 2 = 0.081). Conclusion An 11-week Taiji Stick exercise program can effectively enhance lower limb strength and dynamic balance, maintain upper limb strength, show potential to reduce fall-related risks, and improve daily living ability in older adults. Clinical trial registration This study was approved for registration by the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry on April 24, 2024 (ChiCTR2400083424)

Activities of daily living · Clinical trial · Physical activity · Randomized controlled trial · Trial registration · Balance, Gait, and Falls Prevention · Biofield Effects and Biophysics · Martial Arts: Techniques, Psychology, and Education

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