The Efficacy of Ai Chi Aquatic Exercise Training in Hong Kong's Older Adults with Risk of Falling: A Preliminary Analysis

Abstract

Ai Chi is a type of aquatic exercise that consists of slow-and-broad movements of the limbs and body (Tai-Chi element) in a continuously flowing pattern and deep breathing (Qi-Gong element), providing a safe and low-impact exercise training environment for older adults. The aim of this analysis is to examine the preliminary efficacy of an expertly-designed Ai Chi aquatic exercise programme, in the context of reduction of main fall risk factors in Hong Kong’s older adults with risk of falling, compared to an evidence-based, traditional, and land-based fall prevention exercise programme (Otago Exercise Programme). Forty eligible older adults, with risk of falling, were recruited from different elderly community centres in Hong Kong. They were randomly assigned to either an Ai Chi Aquatic Exercise Group (ACG) or a Traditional Land-based Fall Prevention Exercise Group (TEG). Nineteen and seventeen participants (mean age=73.2 years, SD=5.7 years) completed their sixteen exercise training sessions in the ACG and TEG, respectively. The participants also completed a battery of physical and psychological assessments of fall risk factors in two assessment sessions before training at baseline (T0) and just after completion of all exercise sessions (T1). Preliminary results show significant improvements in both the ACG and TEG (p<0.05) after training on various main outcomes, such as scores of the Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up & Go test, and Tinetti Balance Assessment tool. It suggests that the expertly-designed Ai Chi aquatic exercise programme appears to be equally effective, when compared to the evidence-based and traditional fall prevention exercise programme.