Can practicing Taiji Stick exercises help older adults stay stronger and more independent?

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With advancing age, older adults experience an accelerated decline in physical function. This decline compromises overall well-being, increases the likelihood of falls and bone injuries and, in more advanced stages, reduces the ability to carry out daily tasks independently. Previous studies have found that Health Qigong and Taijiquan exercises improve physical functioning and help older adults complete everyday activities. These findings provided the theoretical foundation and practical basis for this investigation.

The study explored whether an 11-week Taiji Stick exercise program affected grip strength, lower limb strength, dynamic balance and daily functional activities in older adults. It used a randomized controlled design: 35 older adults were randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group practiced Taiji Stick exercises three times weekly for 45 minutes per session over 11 weeks. The control group continued its routine daily activities without any intervention.

Grip strength was assessed using a portable digital dynamometer. Lower limb muscular strength was evaluated with the Five Times Sit-to-Stand test (5STS), and dynamic balance with the Timed Up and Go test (TUG). The Barthel Index assessed activities of daily living (ADL).

After the intervention, right-hand grip strength did not change significantly in the exercise group: pre-test 19.00 (15.65, 24.45), post-test 19.40 (16.15, 25.20); p = 0.185, |r| ≈ 0.32. In the control group, it decreased significantly: pre-test 17.15 (14.18, 23.68), post-test 16.75 (13.03, 23.48); p = 0.001, |r| ≈ 0.79.

The exercise group showed significant improvements in lower limb strength: pre-test 15.00 (13.40, 20.00), post-test 12.30 (9.55, 15.20); p < 0.001, |r| ≈ 0.86. Dynamic balance also improved significantly: pre-test 15.13 ± 4.04, post-test 11.77 ± 3.42; p < 0.001, ηp² = 0.618. Daily living ability improved significantly as well: pre-test 95.00 (90.00, 100.00), post-test 95.00 (92.50, 100.00); p < 0.05, |r| ≈ 1.00.

In the control group, lower limb strength declined significantly: pre-test 16.40 (14.75, 20.85), post-test 17.50 (15.50, 23.25); p < 0.001, |r| ≈ 0.88. Activities of daily living also deteriorated significantly: pre-test 95.00 (88.75, 100.00), post-test 90.00 (80.00, 95.00); p < 0.01, |r| ≈ 0.89. Dynamic balance deteriorated, but the change was not statistically significant: pre-test 17.16 ± 3.92, post-test 17.92 ± 4.70; p > 0.05, ηp² = 0.081.

The authors concluded that an 11-week Taiji Stick exercise program can enhance lower limb strength and dynamic balance, maintain upper limb strength and improve daily living ability in older adults. They also described potential to reduce fall-related risks.

The study was approved for registration by the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry on April 24, 2024 (ChiCTR2400083424).