Evaluation of energy expenditure and cardiovascular health effects from Tai Chi and walking exercise.

1. A 12-week Tai Chi or walking exercise intervention produced significant and similar beneficial effects on body composition, aerobic fitness, muscular fitness, fasting blood glucose, resting metabolic rate, and perceived health in middle-aged Chinese. 2. While Tai Chi and walking both elicited significant cardiorespiratory responses and energy expenditure to the moderate intensity level, walking exercise elicited about 46% higher metabolic cost than Tai Chi exercise.