Physical Activity, Tai Chi and Successful Aging

March 27, 2022 Joe Brady

Recent research has shown an independent and positive association between total physical activity. Using a multidimensional concept of successful aging and considering the effects of physical activity upon multiple physiological systems it seems that physical activity may be the major determinant of successful aging. Scientists followed up on 1584 people and found that older adults who engaged in higher levels of total physical activity at baseline were 2-fold more likely to be disease-free and fully functional, that is, having aged successfully, up to 10 years later.

Scientists have known for a long time that exercise is good for you and are hoping that finding a direct causal relationship between successful aging and physical activity will produce greater levels of compliance. A great deal of existing data shows that physical activity is an important parameter in enabling people to age successfully.

In addition to physical activity regular participation in, social, and cultural activities are also associated with successful aging. Well known for its benefits for balance and preventing falls Tai Chi is also beneficial in a variety of additional ways. In an editorial for the Journal of the American Geriatric Society, Dr. Steven Blair, Ph.D. with the CDC funded National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity & the Aerobics Institute in Dallas, stated that “[There is] a growing body of evidence regarding the efficacy of T’ai Chi interventions in improving  and maintaining function …  T’ai Chi appears to favorably influence balance, strength and … aerobic power.”

In addition, Tai Chi not only consists of a good dose of physical activity but also the sociocultural, meditative components are believed to contribute to overall greater levels of well-being, and these additional layers seem to produce greater levels of compliance.

According to the Harvard Health Publications of the Harvard Medical School, regular practice of T’ai Chi Ch’uan may be useful in the treatment and prevention of many health problems while giving practitioners control in relieving their own aches and pains.

“A growing body of carefully conducted research is building a compelling case for tai chi as an adjunct to standard medical treatment for the prevention and rehabilitation of many conditions commonly associated with age,” says Peter M. Wayne, assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and director of the Harvard Medical School’s Osher Center for Integrative Medicine. 


Harvard Medical School’s
Top Ten Reasons to practice T’ai Chi

Tai chi for overall fitness

  • Improves
  • Muscle strength
  • Flexibility.
  • Balance
  • Aerobic conditioning

Tai chi for medical conditions

When combined with standard treatment, tai chi also appears to be helpful for numerous medical conditions. For example:

  • Arthritis
  • Low bone density
  • Breast cancer
  • Heart disease
  • Heart failure
  • Hypertension
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Sleep problems
  • Stroke

Read More

Peel, N. M., McClure, R. J. & Bartlett, H. P. Behavioral determinants of healthy aging. Am J Prev Med 28, 298–304 (2005).

Gopinath, B., Kifley, A., Flood, V.M. et al. Physical Activity as a Determinant of Successful Aging over Ten Years. Sci Rep 8, 10522 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-28526-3