Tai Chi versus Brisk Walking
The Question:
How does Tai Chi compare to a brisk walk for women aged 65 years or older?
The Answer:
Tai Chi improved fitness in elderly women over a three month period. Tai Chi was better than brisk walking in improving lower extremity strength, balance and flexibility.
The Study:
Tai Chi versus brisk walking in elderly women.
Twenty-six sedentary healthy women aged 65 years or older were randomized to Tai Chi or to a brisk walking group. An additional 8 women were assigned to a sedentary comparison group.
A modified 10-movement Yang style of Tai Chi was taught. Tai Chi was performed for about 1 hour, 3 times per week, for 12 weeks. The walking group aimed to reach 50–70% of the calculated target heart rate (220 – age).
Audette JF, Jin YS, Newcomer R, Stein L, Duncan G, Frontera WR.
Age Ageing. 2006 Jul;35(4):388-93. Free full text.
Related Link:
Target Heart Rates – American Heart Organisation.
Originally posted 2009-06-14 18:45:26.
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