Question :
Can tai chi exercise improve disease activity, flexibility and depression in patients with ankylosing spondylitis?
Answer :
Tai Chi improved disease activity and flexibility in patients with ankylosing spondylitis but there was a high drop rate with only 13 patiens in the treatment group.
Summary :
Forty patients were allocated to either a Tai Chi treatment group or to a no-treatment control group. Tai Chi was performed for 60 minutes, twice a week, for 8 weeks and followed by 8 weeks of home practice. This study used the 21 Tai Chi movements based on Tai Chi for Rheumatoid Arthritis (developed by Australian family physician Dr. Paul Lam). Thirteen out of twenty patients in the Tai Chi group completed the study (a 35% dropout rate). The Tai Chi treatment group was composed of 10 men and 3 women with an average age of 35.2 years. The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index and the Finger to Floor Distance was improved after 16 weeks in the Tai Chi group. The improvement in depression scores was not statistically significant.
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Medical Research
Ankylosing spondylitis, Arthritis, Depression, Flexibility
Question :
What are the physiological effects of tai chi, including its effect on aerobic exercise capacity?
Answer :
Tai Chi can be classified as a moderate intensity exercise with a maximal oxygen intake (VO2 max) of 55%.
Summary :
A review of 31 studies with a total of 2216 men and women.
The authors conclude that Tai Chi is beneficial to cardiorespiratory function, immune capacity, mental control, flexibility, balance control, muscle strength and reduces the risk of falls in the elderly.
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Medical Research
Aerobic capacity, Balance, Flexibility, Immunity, Mental health, Muscle strength
Question :
Can Tai Chi improve balance control, flexibility and cardiorespiratory fitness?
Answer :
Compared to a sedentary group, the Tai Chi group had better scores for resting heart rate, 3 minute step test heart rate, balance (right and left leg standing with eyes closed) and flexibility.
Summary :
This study recruited 28 males over 65 years old who had been practicing the Yang Style of Tai Chi for at least 10 years.
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Medical Research
Aerobic capacity, Balance, Flexibility
