AUTHOR=Su ZhongJun , Zhao JieXiu 

TITLE=Comparative Study of the Effects of Tai Chi and Square Dance on Immune Function, Physical Health, and Life Satisfaction in Urban Empty-Nest Older Adults

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Physiology

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2021.721758

DOI=10.3389/fphys.2021.721758

ISSN=1664-042X

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Objective:</bold> To compare the effects of Tai Chi and Square dance on immune function, physical health, and life satisfaction in urban, empty-nest older adults.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> This cross-sectional study included 249 older adults (60–69 years) who were categorized into Tai Chi (<italic>n</italic> = 81), Square dance (<italic>n</italic> = 90), and control groups (<italic>n</italic> = 78). We evaluated immunoglobulin G (IgG) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity by MTT assay, physical health indices by physical fitness levels, and life satisfaction by Life Satisfaction Index A (LSIA) scores.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> Immune function, physical health, and life satisfaction in older adults in the Tai Chi and Square dance groups were significantly better than those in the control group (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05). Regarding immune function and physical health, the Tai Chi group exhibited significantly higher levels of IgG (15.41 ± 0.26 g/L vs. 11.99 ± 0.35 g/L, <italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05), IL-2 (4.60 ± 0.20 ng/mL vs. 4.45 ± 0.21 ng/mL, <italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05), and NK cell cytotoxicity (0.28 ± 0.02 vs. 0.22 ± 0.02, <italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05) than the square dance group, significantly lower waist-to-hip ratio (0.87 ± 0.02 vs. 0.89 ± 0.02, <italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05), resting pulse (78.4 ± 4.6 beats/min vs. 81.0 ± 3.1 beats/min, <italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05), systolic blood pressure (132.0 ± 5.2 mmHg vs. 136.2 ± 3.2 mmHg, <italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05), diastolic blood pressure (80.0 ± 2.6 mmHg vs. 83.0 ± 2.7 mmHg, <italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05), and significantly higher vital capacity (2978.0 ± 263.0 mL vs. 2628.3 ± 262.8 mL, <italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05) and duration of one-leg standing with eyes closed (16.2 ± 1.9 s vs. 12.0 ± 1.7 s). However, there was no significant difference in LSIA scores between the Tai Chi and Square dance groups (12.05 ± 1.96 vs. 13.07 ± 1.51, <italic>P</italic> &gt; 0.05). Further, there was a significant correlation between LSIA scores and immune function (<italic>r</italic> = 0.50, <italic>P</italic> = 0.00) and physical health (<italic>r</italic> = 0.64, <italic>P</italic> = 0.00).</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> (1) Both Tai Chi and square dance practitioners had better health outcomes, compared with sedentary individuals; (2) Tai Chi practitioners had better physical health and immune function than Square dance practitioners. (3) Tai Chi and Square dance exercises had similar effects on life satisfaction among urban empty-nest older adults.</p><p><bold>Suggestions:</bold> For urban empty-nest older adults who want to have better physical health and immune function, long-term Tai Chi exercise may be a better choice; however, those who are concerned about life satisfaction can choose either Tai Chi or Square dance exercise.</p>