A review of the effects of four traditional Chinese physical exercise therapies (qigong) on the prevention of falls in the elderly by Shandong and Huaibei Universities found evidence that four traditional exercise therapies have a preventive effect on fall behaviour in older adults. Two exercises, Ba Duan Jin and Yi Jin Jing, in particular, may be preferred to reduce the risk of falls.
According to the United Nations Development Programme, the world population of older people aged 65 and above will increase to 340 million by 2040. Some studies have shown that approximately 20–35% of older adults aged 60 years and older experience fall behaviour each year, and more than half of these falls result in injury, fracture, or even death. Falling not only seriously affects the physical and mental health of the elderly but also brings a heavy burden to families and society, and if not taken seriously, the public health risks they pose will be incalculable.
In recent years, traditional Chinese exercises have been widely used in preventing falls among the elderly. Four traditional exercises, namely Ba Duan Jin, Taichi, Yi Jin Jing and Wu Qin Xi, have become important non-drug therapies to prevent falls. They have been demonstrated to increase muscle strength and balance function and significantly reduce the risk of falls in older adults. They not only have positive effects on the physical and mental health of the elderly but also can effectively improve the muscle strength and balance of the elderly, thus strengthening the body and preventing falls.
Studies have suggested that poor coordination, reduced muscle strength and unstable gait are the main causes.
The study compiled 45 random control trial studies involving 3,695 subjects who were aged ≥ 60 years, physically fit and physically active, and able to participate in exercise.
Analysis of the studies found that the four traditional exercises, taichi and qigong, can effectively enhance lower limb muscle strength, improve the balance of the elderly, and reduce the risk of falls.
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1096599/full
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