Practicing Tai Chi had lower energy metabolism than walking but similar health benefits in terms of aerobic fitness, resting energy expenditure, body composition and self-perceived physical health.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the health benefits of walking and Tai Chi, focusing on aerobic fitness, energy expenditure, body composition, and quality of life.
Results Summary
Walking significantly improved VO2max, BMI, skinfold thickness, and physical quality of life compared to the control group. However, Tai Chi had a higher effect on resting energy expenditure and kilocalorie expenditure than walking.
Population
374 middle-aged Chinese subjects from nine geographic areas in Sha Tin.
Effective Dosage
45 minutes per day, 5 days per week (brisk walking).
Duration
12 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tai Chi training | increase | VO2max | middle-aged Chinese subjects | 3.3ml/min/kg vs. control | improved | #1 |
walking training | increase | VO2max | middle-aged Chinese subjects | 3.7ml/min/kg vs. control | improved | #2 |
Tai Chi training | decrease | BMI | middle-aged Chinese subjects | - | improved | #3 |
walking training | decrease | BMI | middle-aged Chinese subjects | - | improved | #4 |
Tai Chi training | decrease | skinfold thicknesses | middle-aged Chinese subjects | - | improved | #5 |
walking training | decrease | skinfold thicknesses | middle-aged Chinese subjects | - | improved | #6 |
Tai Chi training | increase | SF-12 physical component scores | middle-aged Chinese subjects | - | improved | #7 |
walking training | increase | SF-12 physical component scores | middle-aged Chinese subjects | - | improved | #8 |
Tai Chi | increase | REE-VO2 | middle-aged Chinese subjects | - | had higher effect on improving | #9 |
Tai Chi | increase | REE-kilocalorie expenditure | middle-aged Chinese subjects | - | had higher effect on improving | #10 |
self-paced walking | increase | energy metabolism | 30 subjects | 46% higher than Tai Chi | produced higher metabolic costs | #11 |
Tai Chi | decrease | energy metabolism | - | - | consumes a smaller amount | #12 |
OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of Tai Chi and walking training on aerobic fitness, resting energy expenditure (REE), body composition, and quality of life; as well as analyzing the energy metabolism during exercises, to determine which one had better advantage in improving health status. METHODS: Three hundred seventy-four middle-aged Chinese subjects who were recruited from nine geographic areas in Sha Tin were randomized into Tai Chi, walking, or control groups at area level. The 12-week (45min per day, 5days per week) Tai Chi or brisk walking training were conducted in respective intervention groups. Measures were performed at baseline and end of trial. Another 30 subjects were recruited to compare the energy metabolism between practicing Tai Chi and walking. RESULTS: The between-group difference of VO2max was 3.3ml/min/kg for Tai Chi vs. control and 3.7ml/min/kg for walking vs. control (both P<0.001). BMI, skinfold thicknesses, and SF-12 physical component scores all improved significantly compared with the control group (all P<0.01). Tai Chi had higher effect on improving REE-VO2 and REE-kilocalorie expenditure than walking. Regarding to energy metabolism test, the self-paced walking produced approximately 46% higher metabolic costs than Tai Chi. CONCLUSION: Practicing Tai Chi consumes a smaller amount of energy metabolism but similar health benefits as self-paced brisk walking.