"The brain and body benefits of holistic practices like traditional martial arts are clear. While earlier research focused more on athletic activities, sport, and competition in adults, more recent work has expanded to adolescents and young and older adults. A key aspect of traditional martial arts training extends beyond just "empty hand" to practice with tools. And by tools, I mean ancient weapons. Yet there has been very little study of this aspect-that is, until now."
"Longfei Cao, Xiaoxiao Dong, Kai Qi, Chunhui Zhou, and Aiguo Chen, representing universities in Poland and China, wanted to know if the health benefits of Tai Chi Chuan training extended also to something that extends martial arts function-the stick. In their recent study in Frontiers in Public Health, "Effects of Taiji Stick exercise on strength, balance, and activities of daily living in older adults: a randomized controlled trial," they noted that "older adults experience an accelerated decline in physical function" but that "studies have shown that engagement in Health Qigong and Taijiquan exercises contributes to better physical functioning and facilitates the completion of everyday activities in senior populations.""
"To answer this question, a group of 35 older adults in their mid-80s, comprising both women and men, "were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group engaged in an 11-week Taiji Stick exercise program" held three times each week for 45 minutes each session."
A Taiji Stick exercise program was delivered to a group of very old adults, using a wooden staff and structured practice three times weekly for 11 weeks. Thirty-five participants in their mid-80s were randomly assigned to intervention or control groups, with intervention sessions lasting 45 minutes. Training emphasized stick-based taiji movements integrated with balance and strength tasks. Participants showed improvements in muscle strength, postural control, and ability to perform activities of daily living. These capacity gains can translate into better function in daily life and reduced risk of falls among older adults.
Read at Psychology Today
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