A Cross-Sectional Study of Balance-Related Measures with Older Adults Who Participated in Tai Chi, Yoga, or No Exercise

Purpose: This cross-sectional study compared balance-related measures in older adults who perform Tai Chi, yoga, or no exercise. Methods: A convenience sample of 52 healthy, older adults (> 65 years old) was categorized according to their current participation in Tai Chi (n = 21), yoga (n = 11), or no exercise (n = 20). Each participant was measured on one occasion with the following balance-related measures: Single Limb Stance (SLS), the Multidirectional Reach Test (MDRT), the Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale (FAB), the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC), and the Timed Floor Transfer (TFT). The data were examined using multiple one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) procedures followed by Tukey's HSD post-hoc analysis. Results: There were no significant differences between the groups for SLS and ABC scores. The Tai Chi and yoga groups scored significantly higher on the FAB (p = 0.001) than the no-exercise group. The Tai Chi group scored significantly higher than both the yoga and no-exercise groups on all directions of the MDRT (p < 0.01), and the yoga group scored significantly higher than the no-exercise group on the MDRT left (p = 0.004) and MDRT right (p = 0.008). For the TFT, percentage rates for those able to complete the task were as follows: Tai Chi group = 76.1%, yoga group = 54.5%, and no-exercise group = 30.0%; those not tested were either unable or unwilling to perform the test. Conclusion: Both the Tai Chi and yoga exercise groups demonstrated better balance performance than the no-exercise group. Tai Chi and yoga are both economical and effective methods of low impact exercise that can be incorporated into a fall-prevention program for older adults in many settings.