EFFECTS OF TAI-CHI VERSUS BAND-RESISTANCE EXERCISE ON MUSCLE STRENGTH AND ENDURANCE IN OLDER ADULTS

Abstract

Tai-chi (TC) exercise is a moderate-intensity exercise that has been shown to be beneficial exercise to cardio-respiratory function, mental control, flexibility, and balance control in older adults. However, the effect of TC exercise on muscle strength and endurance in this population is not well known. PURPOSE To compare the improvements in muscle strength and endurance between a TC exercise program and a band-resistance exercise in older adults. METHOD Twenty-nine volunteers were randomly divided into a TC exercise group (TX: 7 men and 11 women, 71±4 yr) and a resistance exercise group (RX: 4 men and 7 women, 69±2 yr). The TX participated in a 12-week supervised exercise program (60 min/day, and 2 days/wk) that consisted of 10-min warm-up and stretching, 40-min TC exercise, and 10-min cool-down/relaxation exercises. The RX participated in a 12-week supervised exercise program (60 min/day, and 2 days/wk) that consisted of 10-min warm-up and stretching, 40-min resistance exercises using elastic bands, and 10-min cool down/relaxation exercises. Muscle strength (MS) and muscle endurance (ME) of the major muscle groups were evaluated using a hydraulic resistance machine. RESULTS At baseline, no significant differences were noted in any of the measured variables between groups. After 12 wk of training, MS improved (p < 0.05) in both RX and TX for knee extension (TX 10%, RX 8%) and flexion (TX 7%, RX 10%). ME also improved in both TX and RX for knee extension (TX 29%, RX 29%) and chest press (TX 13%, RX 12%). MS improvements in abdominal back extension and flexion, chest extension and flexion, and shoulder press and pull were higher in RX than TX, but they did not reach statistical significance over time. CONCLUSION These results indicate that Tai-chi exercise is able to improve muscle strength and endurance similar to that by band-resistance exercises in older adults. Supported by grants from Japan Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Hygenic Corporation.