Abstract
Objective To determine whether lower body strength such as keen extension and flexion strength may be improved by Tai Chi exercise in older adults from the perspective of evidence-based medicine. Methods Databases of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched up to July 1, 2021. Randomized clinical trials are adopted to compare Tai Chi exercise with sedentary behavior or other low intensity exercise in terms of influence on lower body strength rehabilitation, especially keen extension and flexion strength in people aged over 60. A meta-analysis was performed to discuss outcomes of lower body strength, knee muscle strength, and knee extension/flexion strength. Results A total of 25 randomized trials involving 1995 participants fulfilled the inclusion criteria. (1) Tai Chi exercise significantly improved elderly lower body strength (−0.54, [−0.81, −0.28], p < 0.00001, I2 = 74%), but there was no differential improvement in the strength of the knee joints (0.10, [−0.02, 0.23], p=0.11, I2 = 34%). (2) Elderly individual lower body strength declined with age, while this trend was suppressed by Tai Chi exercise (−0.35, [0.14, 0.56], p=0.001, I2 = 70%). (3) Although Tai Chi exercise did no significantly improve the large muscle group of knee joint extensor like quadriceps femoris (3.15, [−0.69, 6.99], p=0.24, I2 = 26%), it showed marked enhancement to the strength of deep small muscle group of knee joint flexor (10.25, [6.90, 13.61], p < 0.00001, I2 = 0%). The heterogeneity might be caused by distinguished measurements of muscle strength. Therefore, Tai Chi exercise specifically enhanced some certain muscle strength of knee joints and improved muscle fitness rehabilitation as well as function activity for elderly. Conclusions In this RCT meta-analysis, Tai Chi exercise has positive effects on lower body strength of elderly. Although no obvious improvement on the knee extensor is observed, it may be used as a rehabilitation treatment for training stable deep muscle groups to improve the knee flexion strength significantly.
Highlights
Tai Chi exercise is considered of high clinical value to rehabilitation of diseases
No obvious improvement on the knee extensor is observed, it may be used as a rehabilitation treatment for training stable deep muscle groups to improve the knee flexion strength significantly
We searched the databases of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library up to July 1, 2021. e keywords of “Tai Chi,” “muscular strength,” “keen extension,” and “keen flexion” were used to identify published systematic reviews or meta-analyses evaluating the association between Tai Chi exercise and the change of lower body strength, keen extension, and flexion strength
Summary
Tai Chi exercise is considered of high clinical value to rehabilitation of diseases. Combined with the latest research in bioinformatics and health informatics, it mostly involves the biological, biomechanical, and psychosomatic medicine in the elderly healthy research [1]. (3) Do prescription factors such as the Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine duration or frequency of Tai Chi exercise affect the function on lower body muscle strength or not?. It emphasizes that the improvement on lower body muscle strength by Tai Chi is related to the adjustment of knee joint strength and range of motion. Another meta-analysis [9] of 31 studies points out that Tai Chi improves muscle strength and reduce the risk of falls by enhancing the elderly’s cardiopulmonary function, immune capacity, mental control, flexibility, and balance control
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