TY - JOUR
T1 - Physical activity and cognition in older adults
T2 - The potential of Tai Chi Chuan
AU - Chang, Yu Kai
AU - Nien, Yu Hsiang
AU - Tsai, Chia Liang
AU - Etnier, Jennifer L.
PY - 2010/10
Y1 - 2010/10
N2 - The purpose of this article is to review the potential of Tai Chi Chuan as a mode of physical activity that could have cognitive benefits for older adults and to provide potential directions for future research. A brief introduction to Tai Chi Chuan and its related physical benefits is provided. In addition, the empirical literature related to Tai Chi Chuan and cognition is reviewed. Potential mediators of the relationship between Tai Chi Chuan and cognition, including physical resources, disease status, and mental resources, are discussed. Based on the limitations of the extant literature, it is argued that future research in this area must provide more detailed descriptions of Tai Chi Chuan, particularly in terms of intensity and program progression. Consideration of the specific type of cognition that is expected to benefit is also encouraged, and approaches for further efforts to understand how Tai Chi Chuan affects cognition are recommended.
AB - The purpose of this article is to review the potential of Tai Chi Chuan as a mode of physical activity that could have cognitive benefits for older adults and to provide potential directions for future research. A brief introduction to Tai Chi Chuan and its related physical benefits is provided. In addition, the empirical literature related to Tai Chi Chuan and cognition is reviewed. Potential mediators of the relationship between Tai Chi Chuan and cognition, including physical resources, disease status, and mental resources, are discussed. Based on the limitations of the extant literature, it is argued that future research in this area must provide more detailed descriptions of Tai Chi Chuan, particularly in terms of intensity and program progression. Consideration of the specific type of cognition that is expected to benefit is also encouraged, and approaches for further efforts to understand how Tai Chi Chuan affects cognition are recommended.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=77957907879&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=77957907879&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1123/japa.18.4.451
DO - 10.1123/japa.18.4.451
M3 - Review article
C2 - 20956845
AN - SCOPUS:77957907879
VL - 18
SP - 451
EP - 472
JO - Journal of Aging and Physical Activity
JF - Journal of Aging and Physical Activity
SN - 1063-8652
IS - 4
ER -