McAnulty Steven, McAnulty Lisa, Collier Scott, Souza-Junior Tacito P, McBride Jeffrey
a Department of Health, Leisure, and Exercise Science , Appalachian State University , Boone , NC , USA.
b Department of Nutrition and Health Care Management , Appalachian State University , Boone , NC , USA.
Phys Sportsmed. 2016;44(2):184-9. doi: 10.1080/00913847.2016.1158623. Epub 2016 Mar 17.
Kung-Fu and Tai Chi along with other martial arts are gaining popularity but studies examining the benefits of martial arts on physical fitness, vascular health, nutrition, and psychological wellness are limited. Aging is associated with declines in these health components. The objectives of this study were to examine whether Tai Chi and Kung-Fu training would maintain physical fitness, vascular health, and psychological wellness components on older versus younger practitioners.
Seventeen subjects were recruited and divided into Young (age <40 years, n=9) and Old (age 40 years and above, n=8). Participants reported twice for health screens, vascular and nutrition assessment, and fitness tests. Mean differences were compared between groups for all tests using Student's t-tests.
Age, months of practice, systolic blood pressure, and cardiovascular augmentation index were significantly greater in Old versus Young (p=0.001, p=0.007, p=0.049, and p=0.011, respectively). Psychologically, old practitioners experienced greater sleep interference (p=0.035) and overall pain (p=0.036). No other differences existed for any variable.
Our study indicates that the practice of Tai Chi and Kung-Fu maintains physical fitness in older compared to younger practitioners. However, age associated changes in cardiovascular stiffness, systolic blood pressure, and pain were not prevented.
功夫、太极拳以及其他武术运动越来越受欢迎，但关于武术对身体健康、血管健康、营养和心理健康益处的研究有限。衰老与这些健康指标的下降有关。本研究的目的是探讨太极拳和功夫训练对年长与年轻练习者的身体健康、血管健康和心理健康指标的影响。
招募了17名受试者，分为年轻组（年龄<40岁，n = 9）和年长组（年龄40岁及以上，n = 8）。参与者进行了两次健康筛查、血管和营养评估以及体能测试。使用学生t检验比较两组在所有测试中的平均差异。
年长组的年龄、练习月数、收缩压和心血管增强指数显著高于年轻组（分别为p = 0.001、p = 0.007、p = 0.049和p = 0.011）。在心理方面，年长的练习者睡眠干扰更大（p = 0.035），总体疼痛更明显（p = 0.036）。其他变量无差异。
我们的研究表明，与年轻练习者相比，太极拳和功夫练习能使年长练习者保持身体健康。然而，未能预防与年龄相关的心血管僵硬、收缩压和疼痛变化。
