چکیده (انگلیسی):

Background: No studies have compared effectiveness of resistance training and Tai Ji exercise on relieving symptoms of knee osteoarthritis
(OA). The purpose of the study was to evaluate effects of a 10-week Tai Ji and resistance training intervention on improving OA symptoms and
mobility in seniors with knee OA.
Methods: Thirty-one seniors (60e85 years) were randomly assigned to a Tai Ji program (n ¼ 12), a resistance training program (n ¼ 13), and
a control group (n ¼ 6). All participants completed the Western Ontario and McMaster (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index and performed three
physical performance tests (6-min walk, timed-up-and-go, and timed stair climb and descent) before and after the 10-week intervention.
Results: The participants in the resistance training group significantly improved on the timed-up-and-go test ( p ¼ 0.001), the WOMAC pain subscore
( p ¼ 0.006), WOMAC stiffness sub-score ( p < 0.001), and WOMAC physical function sub-score ( p ¼ 0.011). The Tai Ji group
significantly improved on the timed-up-and-go test ( p < 0.001), but not on the WOMAC scores.
Conclusion: Resistance training was effective for improving mobility and improving the symptoms of knee OA. Tai Ji was also effective for
improving mobility, but did not improve knee OA symptoms.