Tai Chi can reduce falls in older people, says new research

[Guest guest]

Tai Chi can reduce falls in older people, says new research

28 Jun 2005 Medical News Today

Older people who took part in a structured programme of Tai Chi found

that their balance and physical strength improved, reducing the risk

of falls, according to a paper in the latest Journal of Advanced

Nursing.

Researchers studied a group of fall-prone adults, with an average age

of 78, living in residential care. 29 undertook a 12-week Tai Chi

course three times a week and 30 formed the non-exercise control

group.

They found that the physical fitness of the exercise group showed

significant improvement, with stronger knee and ankle muscles,

improved mobility and flexibility and better balance.

For example, after the exercise programme had finished, the time

taken by the exercise group to walk six metres had fallen by 25 per

cent, while the control group took 14 per cent longer.

" As people get older they are more likely to experience falls and

this can lead to some very serious health issues " says co-author

Professor Rhayun Song from the Chung Nam National University in South

Korea.

" Figures published in the United States estimate that 30 per cent of

people over 65 living in the community fall each year and this rises

to up to 50 per cent for people in long-term care facilities, such as

residential homes. One in ten falls results in a fracture.

" Regular exercise is very important as we get older because when we

get to 65 we start losing muscle strength at a rate of up to two per

cent per year. "

Tai Chi, an ancient Chinese martial art consisting of a series of

slow, gentle, continuous movements, is particularly suitable for

older people as it helps them to develop stronger muscles and better

balance and concentration.

The exercise programme used in the research consisted of 10 minutes

of warming up exercises, 20 minutes of Sun-style Tai Chi movement and

five minutes of cooling down exercises. Traditional instrumental

music was used to help the group maintain slow and continuous

movements and provide a soothing effect.

Both groups underwent a series of tests before the 12-week exercise

programme and once it had been completed. This measured their muscle

strength, balance and confidence in avoiding falls.

Participants were also asked to report any falls they experienced

during the test period. 31 per cent of the exercise group said they

had had a fall, compared with 50 per cent of the control group.

In the year before the research started, 66 per cent of the exercise

group had reported a fall, together with 57 per cent of the control

group.

" Our study shows that low-intensity exercise such as Tai Chi has

great potential for health promotion as it can help older people to

avoid falls by developing their balance, muscle strength and

confidence " says Professor Song.

" We believe that regular exercise should be a fundamental part of

caring for older people living in the community and in residential

care. "