Poster Presentation
Water's Edge Ballroom (Hilton Waikoloa Village)
Thursday, July 14, 2005
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Water's Edge Ballroom (Hilton Waikoloa Village)
Thursday, July 14, 2005
3:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Use of the Simplified Tai-Chi Exercise Program to Promote Physical Health of Institutionalized Elders
Kuei-Min Chen, RN, PhD1, Jong-Ni Lin, RN, MS2, Huey-Shyan Lin, PhD3, Hui-Chuan Wu, BSN, MSN4, Wen-Ting Chen, MS3, Chun-Huw Li, BS5, and Tzu-Hui Liu, BS3. (1) School of Nursing, Fooyin University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, (2) Department of Nursing, Fooying University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, (3) Department of Nursing Administration, Fooyin University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, (4) Department of Midwifery, Fooyin University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Taiwan, (5) Fooyin University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| Learning Objective #1: Understand a new activity program that is appropriate for the elderly population |
| Learning Objective #2: Understand the effects of the Simplified Tai-Chi Exercise Program on the physical health of the elderly population |
The aging population is growing dramatically worldwide; however, the prolonged life expectancy does not necessarily mean aging well and living with a good quality of life. Due to the aging process and sedentary life style, elders classically experience declining physical functioning and increasing incidence of chronic health problems. The purpose of this study was to test the effects of the Simplified Tai-Chi Exercise Program (STEP) on the physical health, including cardio-respiratory function, blood pressure, body fat, body flexibility, balance, hand gripping power, and fall frequency of 51 seniors who were resided in the long-term care facilities. A quasi-experimental, time-series study design was used. The outcome variables were measured three times before the intervention, one month apart. Afterwards, the certified instructors led the senior subjects practiced the STEP in two small groups three times a week, 50 minutes per practice for six months. Four post-tests were conducted at one-month, two-month, three-month, and six-month after the intervention. The GLM-repeated measures indicated that after six months Tai Chi intervention, the cardio-respiratory function, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and hand gripping power of the senior participants were significantly improved (F = 2.59, p = .027; F = 3.85, p = .002; F = 4.37, p = .002; F = 4.63, p = .001, respectively). The STEP is suggested to be incorporated as a floor activity in various long-term care facilities to promote the physical health of the functional deteriorated seniors.