BACKGROUND: Few previous studies have conducted Tai Chi Chuan program in retirement centers in the Czech Republic and explored the effects of Tai Chi Chuan on health related quality of life (HRQoL), functional mobility, and balance performance with older residents. OBJECTIVES: (1) To assess the impact of a 10-week Tai Chi Chuan program on health-related quality of life, functional mobility, and balance performance; (2) To examine the feasibility of Tai Chi Chuan exercise program in a retirement center. METHODS: Pre-test/post-test design, ten-week Tai Chi Chuan program. SETTING: Local housing for older adults sponsored by government. PARTICIPANTS: Fifteen healthy voluntary elder residents (M ± SD aged 76.8 ± 9.26 years) INTERVENTION: Organized Tai Chi Chuan program for ten weeks. MEASUREMENTS: At baseline and after ten weeks, participants were tested in Timed Up-and-Go (TUG), One-leg Stance (OLS), Functional Reach (FR) as well as self-reported EQ-5D forms (health-related quality of life). RESULTS: There were moderate and significant correlations between measurements on pre- and post- intervention. There was a significant improvement in HRQoL, decreased TUG time, and longer OLS time. CONCLUSION: A 10-week Tai Chi Chuan program had beneficial effects on HRQoL, functional mobility, and balance performance among participants of this study.
BACKGROUND: Few previous studies have conducted Tai Chi Chuan program in retirement centers in the Czech Republic and explored the effects of Tai Chi Chuan on health related quality of life (HRQoL), functional mobility, and balance performance with older residents. OBJECTIVES: (1) To assess the impact of a 10-week Tai Chi Chuan program on health-related quality of life, functional mobility, and balance performance; (2) To examine the feasibility of Tai Chi Chuan exercise program in a retirement center. METHODS: Pre-test/post-test design, ten-week Tai Chi Chuan program. SETTING: Local housing for older adults sponsored by government. PARTICIPANTS: Fifteen healthy voluntary elder residents (M ± SD aged 76.8 ± 9.26 years) INTERVENTION: Organized Tai Chi Chuan program for ten weeks. MEASUREMENTS: At baseline and after ten weeks, participants were tested in Timed Up-and-Go (TUG), One-leg Stance (OLS), Functional Reach (FR) as well as self-reported EQ-5D forms (health-related quality of life). RESULTS: There were moderate and significant correlations between measurements on pre- and post- intervention. There was a significant improvement in HRQoL, decreased TUG time, and longer OLS time. CONCLUSION: A 10-week Tai Chi Chuan program had beneficial effects on HRQoL, functional mobility, and balance performance among participants of this study.