TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2005//
TI  - The effects of Tai Chi Chuan on physiological function and fear of falling in the less robust elderly: An intervention study for preventing falls
JO  - Archives of gerontology and geriatrics
A1  - Ohta, Toshizumi
A1  - Morita, T.
A1  - Yamazaki, H.
A1  - Ishikawa-Takata, Kazuko
A1  - Zhang, Jian-Guo
SP  - 107
EP  - 116
VL  - 42
IS  - 2
N2  - The aim of this report is to investigate the effects of 8 weeks of intensive Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) training on physiological function and fear of falling (FOF) in the less-robust elderly. Forty-nine community-dwelling elderly, aged 60 or older, were classified randomly into a TCC training or control group. Physical performance measures (including one-leg stance, trunk flexion, and walking speed) and interviews were conducted before and after the intervention. The TCC group showed significant improvements in balance and flexibility, and a reduced FOF, when compared with the control group after the intervention. However, walking speed did not change significantly. The results suggest that a high-frequency, short-term TCC training program can improve balance, flexibility, and increase the confidence of less-robust elderly. These suggest the effectiveness of TCC for intervention as a means to prevent falling among high-risk elderly populations.
LA  - 
SN  - 0167-4943
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2005.06.007
ID  - ref1
ER  -