Lower Percentage of Fat Mass among Tai Chi Chuan Practitioners

Silvia Stagi, Azzurra Doneddu, Gabriele Mulliri, Giovanna Ghiani, Valeria Succa, Antonio Crisafulli and Elisabetta Marini
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Silvia Stagi: Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy
Azzurra Doneddu: Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
Gabriele Mulliri: Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
Giovanna Ghiani: Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
Valeria Succa: Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy
Antonio Crisafulli: Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
Elisabetta Marini: Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 4, 1-13

Abstract: The aim of the study was to analyze total and regional body composition in Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) middle-aged and elderly practitioners. A cross-sectional study on 139 Italian subjects was realized: 34 TCC practitioners (14 men, 20 women; 62.8 ± 7.4 years) and 105 sedentary volunteers (49 men, 56 women; 62.8 ± 6.4 years). Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, arm, waist, and calf circumferences), hand-grip strength, and physical capacity values were collected. Total and regional (arm, leg, and trunk) body composition was analyzed by means of specific bioelectrical impedance vector analysis ( specific BIVA). TCC practitioners of both sexes were characterized by a normal nutritional status, normal levels of physical capacity, and normal values of hand-grip strength. Compared to controls, they showed lower percentages of fat mass (lower specific resistance) in the total body, the arm, and the trunk, and higher muscle mass (higher phase angle) in the trunk, but lower muscle mass in the arm. Sexual dimorphism was characterized by higher muscle mass (total body, arm, and trunk) and lower %FM (arm) in men; sex differences were less accentuated among TCC practitioners than in the control. TCC middle-aged and elderly practitioners appear to be less affected by the process of physiological aging and the associated fat mass changes, compared to sedentary people.

Keywords: ageing; Tai Chi Chuan; specific bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA); body composition (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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