Zheng Peixuan, Zhang Lei, Shi Feng, Man Kaiwen, Aguiar Elroy J
Department of Kinesiology, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA.
Department of Sports Science, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju-si, SOUTH KOREA.
Int J Exerc Sci. 2022 Jul 1;15(6):1028-1039. doi: 10.70252/KSSW2934. eCollection 2022.
Physical activity is known to confer numerous health benefits. However, few studies have assessed the prolonged impact of participation in different sports on health and fitness. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to compare the impact of long-term participation (i.e., ≥9 years) in four different sports, including two traditional Chinese (Tai Chi; diabolo) and two modern sports (aerobics; track and field [TF]) on health and fitness measures among middle-aged and older adults. Participants (n=252, 56.6±8.5y, 66% female) completed the following measures: height, weight, BMI, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio (WHR), body fat%, resting blood pressure (BP) and heart rate, vital capacity, grip strength, reaction time, flexibility, balance. Compared to Tai Chi, aerobics was associated with lower systolic BP and fat%, and greater vital capacity, while TF was associated with lower systolic BP, shorter reaction time, greater vital capacity and better balance (-values<0.05). Diabolo was associated with lower WHR compared to aerobics and Tai Chi, and greater vital capacity than Tai Chi (values<0.05). No significant differences were observed across sports in other measures. Long-term participation in four sports might have different effects on BP, vital capacity, balance, reaction time, body fat, and central adiposity. Individuals who prefer to choose traditional sports (Tai Chi, diabolo) may anticipate similar long-term effects on resting heart rate, BMI, muscle mass, and grip strength compared to those who perform modern sports (aerobics, TF). Information presented in this study may be valuable when designing population, group and individually-tailored PA recommendations in culturally diverse individuals.
众所周知，体育活动能带来诸多健康益处。然而，很少有研究评估参与不同运动对健康和体能的长期影响。这项横断面研究的目的是比较长期（即≥9年）参与四种不同运动，包括两种中国传统运动（太极拳；空竹）和两种现代运动（有氧运动；田径[TF]）对中老年人健康和体能指标的影响。参与者（n = 252，56.6±8.5岁，66%为女性）完成了以下测量：身高、体重、体重指数、腰围、腰臀比（WHR）、体脂率、静息血压（BP）和心率、肺活量、握力、反应时间、柔韧性、平衡能力。与太极拳相比，有氧运动与较低的收缩压和体脂率相关，且肺活量更大，而田径运动与较低的收缩压、较短的反应时间、更大的肺活量和更好的平衡能力相关（P值<0.05）。与有氧运动和太极拳相比，空竹与较低的腰臀比相关，且肺活量比太极拳更大（P值<0.05）。在其他测量指标上，各运动之间未观察到显著差异。长期参与四项运动可能对血压、肺活量、平衡能力、反应时间、体脂和中心性肥胖有不同影响。与进行现代运动（有氧运动、田径）的人相比，更喜欢选择传统运动（太极拳、空竹）的人可能预期在静息心率、体重指数、肌肉质量和握力方面有类似的长期影响。本研究提供的信息在为不同文化背景的个体设计人群、团体和个性化的体育活动建议时可能很有价值。
