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Tai Chi: Helps You Lose Weight, Eat Better, Exercise More, and Relax

Tai Chi has been tested in the laboratory and found effective. Do these same health benefits occur when Tai Chi is done in a community setting with a group of people? The answer is "yes" according to this study. Grip strength, heart rate, and lung function all improved.

The study was divided into two phases. During phase one 60 adults with no experience in Tai Chi were instructed by a Tai Chi master. The master and four assistants taught a beginners' level with moderate intensity. The assistants were also Tai Chi masters.

Everyone met each morning for 90 minutes to practice. The group did Tai Chi three times a week for three months. Various measures of function were taken before and after the program. For example, blood pressure, lung function, range of motion, and balance were measured. Grip strength and flexibility were also tested.

During phase two an experienced group of Tai Chi practitioners was compared to the beginner group. The authors report the experienced group had greater flexibility than the novice group. They also had a lower resting heart rate. Only the diastolic blood pressure was higher.

This study showed that the health benefits of Tai Chi are present whether done one-on-one in a lab or with a large group. The researchers suggest public health programs may want to offer group Tai Chi. Such programs may help people of all ages to exercise more, eat healthier, lose weight, and relax.

References: Alice Y. Jones PhD, PT, et al. Effectiveness of a Community-Based Tai Chi Program and Implications for Public Health Initiatives. In Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. April 2005. Vol. 86. No. 4. Pp. 619-625.

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