Tai Chi enhances self-efficacy and exercise behavior in older adults

The article describes a randomized, controlled trial conducted to examine t he effects of a Tai Chi intervention program on perceptions of personal eff icacy and exercise behavior in older adults. The sample comprised 94 low-ac tive, healthy participants (mean age = 72.8 years, SD = 5.1) randomly assig ned to either an experimental (Tai Chi) group or a wait-list control group. The study length was 6 months, with self-efficacy responses (barrier, perf ormance efficacies) assessed at baseline, at Week 12, and at termination (W eek 24) of the study. Exercise attendance was recorded as an outcome measur e of exercise behavior. Random-effects models revealed that participants in the experimental group experienced significant improvements in self-effica cy over the course of the intervention. Subsequent repeated-measures ANOVA revealed that participants' changes in efficacy were associated with higher levels of program attendance. The findings suggest that self-efficacy can be enhanced through Tai Chi and that the changes in serf-efficacy are likel y to improve exercise adherence.