Effects Of Tai Chi Exercise On Leisure Benefit And Active Aging Among Community-dwelling Elders

ObjectiveTo provide reference basis for carrying out health promotion programs in community among community-dwelling elders,the effects of tai chi exercise on their blood glucose, blood lipid, leisure attitude, leisure benefit and active aging were evaluated. MethodsFrom October 2013 to April 2014, 80 community-dwelling elders from Qingshan street community of Hengyang were randomly and evenly divided into the control group(n=40) and the experiment group(n=40). Based on the conventional life style for elders, we performed six months tai chi exercise among the elders on the experiment group. The community-dwelling elders went through 6 months exercise, including 60 min/day, 5 days per week. Meanwhile, the target exercise intensity was set at 60% to 80% of peak heart rate. The blood glucose, blood lipid, leisure attitude, leisure benefit and active aging on the control and experiment group were respectively evaluated before exercise and post 3 months and 6 months exercise. Leisure attitude was assessed by Leisure Attitude Scale. Leisure benefit was evaluated with Leisure Benefit and active aging was assessed by Active Aging Scale. The data bases were built by SPSS18.0 so as to evaluate the intervention indicators. Statistical methods included χ2 test, t test, Wilcoxon Rank Sum test, F test and ANOVA of Repeated Measure. Results1 Before the intervention, there were not significant differences for the elders’ demographic characteristics, blood glucose, TC, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C, the scores of leisure attitude, leisure benefit and active aging between in the control group and in the experiment group(P>0.05).2 After 3 months or 6 months intervention, the differences of the elders’ blood glucose, TC, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C, the scores of leisure attitude, leisure benefit and active aging in the control group were not obviously significant comparing to those before the intervention(P>0.05).3 After 3 months or 6 months intervention, the differences of the elders’ blood glucose, TC, TG, LDL-C in the experiment group were obviously lower than those before the intervention(P<0.05), but HDL-C, the scores of leisure attitude, leisure benefit and active aging in the experiment group were obviously higher than those before the intervention(P<0.05). Meanwhile, their blood sugar, TG post 6 months-exercise were obviously lower than those post 3 months-exercise(P<0.05), but their HDL-C, the scores of leisure attitude, leisure benefit and active aging were obviously higher than those post 3 months-exercise(P<0.05).4 Either after 3 months-exercise or after 6 months-exercise, the elders’ blood glucose, TC, TG and LDL-C in the experiment group were obviously lower than those in the control group(P<0.05), but their HDL-C, the scores of leisure attitude, leisure benefit and active aging were significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.05). Conclusions1 Tai chi exercise could decrease the blood glucose and blood lipid among community- dwelling elders.2 Tai chi exercise could improve the elders’ leisure attitude, increase their leisure benefit and promote their active aging.