Journal of Child and Adolescent Behavior
Open Access

Research Article

Effects of Tai Chi Exercise on Physical Function and Parent-child Relationship in Adults and Children: A Pilot Study

William WN Tsang^*, Wing-Nga Chan and Jin Xiao

Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China

*Corresponding Author:

William WN Tsang
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences
Hung Hom, Kowloon, The Hong Kong, China
Tel: (852) 27666717
Fax: (852) 23308656
E-mail: william.tsang@polyu.edu.hk

Received Date: October 03, 2015; Accepted Date: December 22, 2015; Published Date: December 24, 2015

Citation: Tsang WWN, Chan WN, Xiao J (2015) Effects of Tai Chi Exercise on Physical Function and Parent-child Relationship in Adults and Children: A Pilot Study. J Child Adolesc Behav 3:263. doi:10.4172/2375-4494.1000263

Copyright: © 2015 Tsang WWN et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Objective: This pilot study was aimed at testing the feasibility of parent-child Tai Chi training and also investigating the effects of Tai Chi on physical function and parent-child relationship in adults and children. Method: Eighteen parents and 15 children were recruited in this pilot study. Physical outcome measurements included muscle strength, cardio-respiratory function and balance. Muscular strength was measured in bilateral hip flexors, extensors, knee flexors and extensors. Hand grip strength was also assessed. Cardio-respiratory function was tested with the YMCA 3-minute step test. Balance control was assessed with the limits of stability test. Apart from physical function, parent-child relationship was also investigated with the Chinese Family Assessment Instrument. All subjects were assessed before and after a 3-month baseline control period, and after subsequent 3- month Tai Chi training. The training was carried out once a week with 90 minutes per session. Results: No adverse event related to Tai Chi training was reported throughout the study period. Attendance rate of the Tai Chi training course was 88%. Results of the pilot study showed significant increases in most muscle strength parameters in both parent and child groups after Tai Chi training. Significant improvement in heart rate changed in 3-minute step test was also found in both groups after Tai Chi practice. There was a significant decrease in mutuality reported by the parent group during the baseline control period, but no such change was found after the intervention period. Conclusion: It was feasible to conduct parent-child Tai Chi training. In addition, Tai Chi is an option of exercise to promote muscle strength and cardio-respiratory function in adults and children.

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