Research in Sport Medicine and Technology

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of 12 weeks of "Tai Chi"
exercise on some of physiological and psychological factors in elderly living in
Nursing Home. In this experimental study, 58 elderly male and female age
69.15±5.3 yr, height 154 ± 0.1 cm and weight 58.13 ±4.4 kg, lived in Sadeghie
Nursing Home were selected and objectively divided in experimental (n=27) and
control groups (n=30). The experimental group trained for 3 month, three
session per/week, and 30 minute in each session. Heart rate, blood pressure,
hands grip strength, flexibility, Berg balance scale, depression and quality of
sleep were measured before and after the exercise program. Data were
analyzed for group differences using covariance test. There was no significant
group difference in heart rate, blood pressure and flexibility. Hands grip
strength, quality of sleep and balance scales were significantly improved and
depression significantly decreased in experimental compared with control
group. So, it seems that using Tai Chi exercise can improve some of
physiological factors, depression and quality of sleep in elderly