The effect of a new exercise program including Tai Chi Chuan and Kung Fu gymnastics elements for the physical fitness of older subjects who have lower physical fitness - Compared to a well-accepted exercise program

The purpose of this study was to determine whether improved physical fitness through a new exercise program intervention including elements of Tai Chi Chuan and Kung Fu gymnastics among elderly people who have lower physical. Eighty older adults with less physical strength aged 71-89 (mean age +/- SD=77.3 +/- 3.9), recruited from Tsurugaya area of Sendai, participated in a 3-month randomized controlled trial, with allocation to a new exercise program or well-accepted exercise program control. Physical performance measures included the timed up and go test (TUGT), the functional reach test, a 6 min continuous walking test, and the sit-and-reach test were conducted before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed through on-treatment-analysis of variance. After training, although no significant between-groups differences were observed for all the measures, TUGT, which is recommended as a simple screening tool to identify those at risk of falling was improved in both groups following the intervention (P<0.05). The findings revealed that the new exercise program including Tai Chi Chuan and Kung Fu gymnastics element could improve physical fitness to a similar level as the well-accepted exercise program.