A Systematic Review of the Effectiveness of Tai Chi Exercises for Improving Balance and Lower Limb Muscle Strength of the Elderly in the Community

Kadek Dio Agus Bagiartana; Titih Huriah

doi:10.3889/oamjms.2021.7841

Authors

Kadek Dio Agus Bagiartana Student, Master of Nursing, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Kampus Terpadu UMY, Tamantirto Kasihan Bantul Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Titih Huriah Department of Community Nursing, Master of Nursing, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Kampus Terpadu UMY, Tamantirto Kasihan Bantul Yogyakarta, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1750-0277

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2021.7841

Keywords:

Thai Chi, Elderly, Balancing, Strengthening, Community, Systematic review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Balance disorders are the primary cause of falls, a significant health concern for the elderly. Tai Chi (TC) improves the balance and strength of the lower limb muscles that focus on centering the mind, bodywork, and breathing exercises.

AIM: A systematic review was conducted to search for evidence of the effects of Thai Chi in balancing and strengthening of lower extremities among the elderly in the community.

METHODS: According to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines, a systematic review was conducted. Databases included Science Direct, ProQuest, and PubMed, from 2015 to 2020, with research articles being original studies. The quality of research articles was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale. Systematically analyses were used for results syntheses.

RESULTS: Six articles were included in this review. TC exercises effectively improve the balance and muscle strength of the lower limbs among the elderly in the community. TC has a beneficial effect on evaluation in the short (8 weeks) and long (12 weeks) term to prevent falls among the elderly in the community.

CONCLUSION: TC exercises are beneficial for improving balance and muscle strength of the lower limb among the elderly in the community with Selected TC, Traditional TC, and Modified Chen-style TC.

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