Author, year | Study design | Sample (F/M) | Age, mean ± SD years | Study groups (n) | Frequency and duration | Outcomes measured and results |
Cui et al., 2012 | CSS | 29 (29/0) Healthy | 66.8 ± 4.36 (T) 65.6 ± 3.92 (C) | T (15) No training (14) | T group: Three 60-minute Taiji softball sessions for more than one year C: no active sport participation | Primary outcome (handgrip strength test, p < 0.05) Additional outcomes (reaction time for red and green lights, p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively; right hand stability, p < 0.01) |
Lam et al., 2011a, b | NRCT | 66 (39/27) Sedentary | Mean age between 65 and 75 | T (32) Routine activities (32) | Two 60-minute Taiji softball sessions per week for 10 weeks | Primary outcomes (flexibility using sit-and-reach test, p < 0.01; handgrip strength test, p < 0.05) Secondary outcomes (2-minute step test, p < 0.01; time up and go, p < 0.01) Additional outcomes (arm curls test for arm muscle strength, p < 0.01; AAPERD Soda Po test for hand eye coordination, p < .01; chair sand test for lower body strength, p < 0.01; back scratch test, p < 0.01; BMI, p < 0.05) |
Li et al., 2010 | RCT | 64 (32/32) Healthy college students | 19.5 ± 2.6 (T) 19.5 ± 2.3 (C) | T (32) C (32) no training | Six 120-minute sessions per week for 12 weeks | Primary outcomes (handgrip strength, p < 0.05; flexibility using sit-and-reach test, p < 0.05; and stock balance test, p < 0.05 |
Lai, 2010 | NOT | 17 (9/8) Healthy older adults | Aged between 60 and 69 | T (17) | Seven 60-to-90-minute taiji softball sessions for three and half months | Primary outcomes (flexibility using sit-and-reach test, p < 0.05; handgrip strength, p < 0.01; static balance, < 0.01) Additional outcomes (BMI, p < 0.01; waist-and-hip ratio, p < 0.0; shoulder skinfold, p < 0.05 abdomen skinfold, p < 0.01, waist skinfold, p < 0.5; reaction time p < 0.05) |
Qiu et al., 2014 | RCT | 150 (150/0) Healthy college students | Aged between 18 and 25 | T (50) BaDuanJin (50) C (50) | Five 50-minute Taiji softball sessions per week for 18 weeks | Primary outcomes (handgrip strength, p < 0.01; flexibility using sit-and-reach test, p < 0.5; stock balance test, p < 0.01) Secondary outcomes (systolic and diastolic pressures, p > 0.05; resting heart rate, p < 0.05; step test, p < 0.01) Additional outcomes (weight, p < 0.05; waist and abdomen circumferences, p < 0.05; arm and shoulder skinfolds, p < 0.01; abdomen skinfold, p < 0.01; broad long jump, p < 0.05) |
Wang, 2007 | NRCT | 40 (40/0) Postmenopausal women | 60 ± 8 (T) 61 ± 5 (C) | T (20); Walking (20) | Three 50-minute Taiji softball sessions per week for 24 weeks | Additional outcomes (bone mineral density on lumbar 2-4, p < 0.05]; bone mineral content on lumbar 2 and femoral neck, p < 0.001), and bone metabolism index (bone glaprolein [BGP] and serum alkaline phosphatase [ALP], p < 0.001) |