A Tufts University School of Medicine study demonstrated evidence based results that Tai Chi Eases Osteoarthritis Pain in older adults. The study participants practiced Tai Chi for 12 weeks. During the study they practiced for an hour twice a week.
Over the 12-week study period, Tai Chi was also observed to be equally effective as aerobic exercise in reducing both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
They also conducted a longitudinal, prospective study comparing two-year trends in cardiorespiratory function of a group of elderly Tai Chi practitioners with an age-matched, sedentary control group. Their results suggest that Tai Chi may delay the decrease in aerobic capacity usually found with aging.
They also conducted a cross-sectional, case-controlled study to evaluate the health benefits of long-term, geriatric Tai Chi practitioners. Cycle ergometry revealed that peak oxygen uptake was greater for Tai Chi practitioners compared to age-matched sedentary subjects.
No adverse effects related to the short- or long-term practice of Tai Chi were reported in any of these studies.
Excellent research being conducted by Tufts. Oxygen uptake increased performance because the cells are getting the energy they need as a result of the breath work. Even with static posture breathing in Qi Gong are the students able to see a significant difference in their balance and structural support.
After several weeks, sometimes months of practice once a week, I have seen 80 year olds and one 90 year olds manage to perform the Golden Cockerel stand on one leg posture as well perform the retreat posture of Repulse the Monkey moving backwards.
When the postures are performed correctly no adverse effects are observed.