Tai Chi styles versus community exercises in middle-aged and older adults
In a 12-week randomized trial with 113 middle-aged and older adults, 12-form Chen-style Tai Chi and square dance were associated with improvements in several cardiometabolic, physical and quality-of-life outcomes; walking improved only quality of life, and the control group showed no significant changes. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
The trial included 113 middle-aged and older adults (mean age 62.3 years) assigned to five groups, with a 12-week intervention of two supervised 90-minute sessions per week. [1]
Chen-style Tai Chi with 12 forms and square dance were associated with significant improvements in several outcomes, walking improved only quality of life, and the control group showed no significant changes. [1]
The abstract describes the improvements as associations and does not report adverse events or longer-term outcomes. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Single-blind randomized controlled trial (abstract).
- Population / context
- 113 middle-aged and older adults with a mean age of 62.3 years (SD 4.25).
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- April 23, 2026
Five exercise groups in adults aged about 62
This single-blind randomized controlled trial included 113 middle-aged and older adults with a mean age of 62.3 years (SD 4.25). Participants were assigned to one of five groups: 12-form Chen-style Tai Chi, 24-form Tai Chi, square dance, walking, or a control group. The intervention lasted 12 weeks with two supervised sessions per week of 90 minutes each. Assessments before and after the intervention covered blood pressure, lipid profiles, fasting glucose, interleukin-6, Short Physical Performance Battery scores, activities of daily living and the World Health Organization Quality of Life index.
Supporting source [1]
Chen-style Tai Chi and square dance improved several outcomes
In the 12-form Chen-style Tai Chi group, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels decreased significantly (P=.008 and P=.002), while Short Physical Performance Battery and quality-of-life scores improved significantly (P=.02 and P=.002). In the square dance group, total cholesterol, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased significantly (P=.01, P=.002 and P=.002), while Short Physical Performance Battery, activities of daily living and quality-of-life scores improved significantly (P=.04, P=.04 and P=.002). The walking group improved significantly only in quality-of-life scores (P=.02). The control group showed no significant changes in any outcome.
Supporting source [1]
Abstract reports associations, not proven causes
The abstract concludes that 12-form Chen-style Tai Chi and square dance were associated with significant improvements in cardiometabolic, physical and psychological health outcomes. It suggests that Chen-style Tai Chi showed broader multidimensional benefits, possibly reflecting combined physical, respiratory and cognitive components, and that these modalities may be safe and scalable strategies for healthy aging in community settings. These are associations from one 12-week trial, not proof of cause, and the abstract does not report adverse events or longer-term outcomes.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. The abstract reports no adverse events, no longer-term follow-up and no details on how the five groups differed at baseline. Associations do not establish causation.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Qiu J, Wang J, Song X, Shu W, Kim SM. · europepmc.org · April 23, 2026