Wolf, S. L., Sattin, R. W., Kutner, M., O'Grady, M., Greenspan, A. I., and Gregor, R. J. (2003). Intense tai chi exercise training and fall occurrences in older, transitionally frail adults: A randomized, controlled trial. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 51, 1693-1701.

Purpose: Falls among older adults can cause serious injuries, expensive medical bills, and a lengthy recovery period. Equally, the fear of falling can burden the individual and preclude his or her engagement in social and physical activity. Physical activity specifically targeting lower body balance and strength shows promise in reducing the risk of falls.

Participants: This research project involved 291 women and 20 men aged 70 and older who were neither considered vigorous nor frail by researchers' definitions. All had to have fallen within the past year.

Method: This single-blind experimental design compared two interventions, an intensive tai chi exercise program and a wellness education program.

Results & Discussion: Ultimately, the risk ratio of falling did not prove to be statistically significant between the tai chi and wellness education groups. While the study was unable to provide conclusive evidence that tai chi mitigates the risk of falling among older adults, the findings provide ample support for further investigation. Over 50% of the participants in the tai chi group did not fall during the 48 weeks.

Read the entire abstract at http://www.ncpad.org/227/1511/Intense~tai~chi~exercise~training~and~fall~occurrences~in~older
~~transitionally~frail~adults~~A~randomized~~controlled~trial.