Tai Chi as an Alternative Exercise to Improve Physical Fitness for Children and Adolescents with Intellectual Disability

Zhaowei Kong, Tat-Ming Sze, Jane Jie Yu, Paul D. Loprinzi, Tao Xiao, Albert S. Yeung, Chunxiao Li, Hua Zhang and Liye Zou
Additional contact information
Zhaowei Kong: Faculty of Education, University of Macau, Macao, China
Tat-Ming Sze: Faculty of Education, University of Macau, Macao, China
Jane Jie Yu: Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
Paul D. Loprinzi: Department of Health, Exercise Science and Recreation Management, The University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA
Tao Xiao: College of Mathematics and Statistics, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
Albert S. Yeung: Depression Clinical and Research Program at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
Chunxiao Li: Physical Education and Sports Science Academic Group, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637616, Singapore
Hua Zhang: Faculty of Education, University of Macau, Macao, China
Liye Zou: Lifestyle (Mind-Body Movement) Research Center, College of Sports Science, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 7, 1-12

Abstract: Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Tai Chi (TC) on anthropometric parameters and physical fitness among children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities (ID). Methods: Sixty-six Chinese individuals engaged in sport-related extracurricular activities (TC and aerobic exercise (AE)) as exercise interventions or arts/crafts activities as a control condition (CON). The experimental protocol consisted of a baseline assessment, a 12-week intervention period, and a post-intervention assessment. Results: Significant interaction effect was only observed in the performance of a 6-min walk test. After 12 weeks of intervention, the AE group had significant changes in body mass index ( p = 0.006, d = 0.11), sit-ups ( p = 0.030 and d = 0.57), and 6-min walk test ( p = 0.005, d = 0.89). Significant increases in vertical jump ( p = 0.048, d = 0.41), lower-limb coordination ( p = 0.008, d = 0.53), and upper-limb coordination ( p = 0.048, d = 0.36) were observed in the TC group. Furthermore, the TC group demonstrated significantly greater improvements on balance compared to the control group ( p = 0.011). Conclusions: TC may improve leg power and coordination of both lower and upper limbs, while AE may be beneficial for body mass index, sit-ups and cardiorespiratory fitness.

Keywords: mind–body movement; aerobic exercise; balance; BMI; coordination; flexibility; developmental disability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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