Abstract
Background: Sarcopenia is associated with progressive declines in neuromuscular function, balance, and increased systemic inflammation in older adults. This study investigated the effects of a 12-week Tai Chi and Qigong training program in elderly Iraqi men with sarcopenia. Materials and Methods: Thirty men aged 60–65 years with sarcopenia were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 15) or a control group (n = 15). Neuromuscular performance, postural stability, gait speed, electromyographic amplitude, IGF-1, and CRP-hs were assessed before and after the intervention. Results: The intervention group showed significant improvements in reaction time, electromyographic amplitude, postural stability, gait speed, IGF-1, and CRP-hs compared with the control group (all p < 0.001). Conclusions: Tai Chi and Qigong training may improve neuromuscular function, postural stability, and inflammatory–anabolic status in elderly men with sarcopenia. Larger randomized trials are warranted to confirm these findings.
Recommended Citation
Ekrayyem MH, Ahmed AF, Ghanim SR. Effects of a 12-week Tai Chi and Qigong training program on neuromuscular function and postural stability in elderly men with sarcopenia. Balt J Health Phys Act. 2026;18(3):Article12. DOI: 10.29359/BJHPA.18.3.12
Author ORCID Identifier
Muthanna Harith Ekrayyem ORCID: 0009-0005-2806-0050
Ali Fawzi Ahmed ORCID: 0009-0006-1953-8873
Saif Rasheed Ghanim ORCID: 0009-0002-2536-4049
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