Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(7), 682; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13070682
Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Tai Chi versus Brisk Walking in Reducing Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
Aileen W. K. Chan 1,*
, Janet W. H. Sit 1, Sek Ying Chair 1, Doris Y. P. Leung 1, Diana T. F. Lee 1, Eliza M. L. Wong 1 and Lawrence C. W. Fung 2
, Janet W. H. Sit 1, Sek Ying Chair 1, Doris Y. P. Leung 1, Diana T. F. Lee 1, Eliza M. L. Wong 1 and Lawrence C. W. Fung 21
The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong, China
2
Physiotherapy Department, Kwong Wah Hospital, 25 Waterloo Road, Yaumatei, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Academic Editor: Paul B. Tchounwou
Received: 23 May 2016 / Revised: 30 June 2016 / Accepted: 30 June 2016 / Published: 5 July 2016
Abstract
Physical inactivity is one of the major modifiable lifestyle risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). This protocol aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Tai Chi versus brisk walking in reducing CVD risk factors. This is a randomized controlled trial with three arms, namely, Tai Chi group, walking group, and control group. The Tai Chi group will receive Tai Chi training, which consists of two 60-min sessions each week for three months, and self-practice for 30 min every day. The walking group will perform brisk walking for 30 min every day. The control group will receive their usual care. 246 subjects with CVD risk factors will be recruited from two outpatient clinics. The primary outcome is blood pressure. Secondary outcomes include fasting blood for lipid profile, sugar and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c); body mass index, waist circumference, body fat percentage; perceived stress level and quality of life. Data collections will be conducted at baseline, 3-month, 6-month and 9-month. Generalized estimating equations model will be used to compare the changes in outcomes across time between groups. It is expected that both the Tai Chi and walking groups could maintain better health and have improved quality of life, and that Tai Chi will be more effective than brisk walking in reducing CVD risk factors. View Full-TextKeywords:
brisk walking; cardiovascular risk factors; Tai Chi
▼
Figures
Figure 1
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. (CC BY 4.0).
Share & Cite This Article
MDPI and ACS Style
Chan, A.W.K.; Sit, J.W.H.; Chair, S.Y.; Leung, D.Y.P.; Lee, D.T.F.; Wong, E.M.L.; Fung, L.C.W. Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Tai Chi versus Brisk Walking in Reducing Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13, 682.
Note that from the first issue of 2016, MDPI journals use article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.
Related Articles
Article Metrics
Comments
[Return to top]
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health
EISSN 1660-4601
Published by MDPI AG, Basel, Switzerland
RSS
E-Mail Table of Contents Alert