New research suggests that the ancient Chinese exercise Tai Chi is linked to improved physical capacity among older adults.

Researchers found that Tai Chi, which consists of slow, gentle, flowing movements that aim to boost muscle power, balance, and posture. It also includes mindfulness, relaxation, and breath control, will benefit older adults with breast cancer, heart failure, osteoarthritis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

"Tai Chi can improve some physical performance outcomes in four chronic conditions...but not at the expense of worsening pain or dyspnoea [breathlessness]," they write, adding that it "may provide a suitable exercise stimulus for people with several comorbidities," and could be used as a complementary therapy in some long term conditions.

For the study, researchers reviewed 21 studies for their analysis.

The average age of participants ranged from the mid 50s to the early 70s, while the average length of the Tai Chi training programme was 12 weeks, with most sessions lasting an hour. Tai Chi training was usually offered two to three times weekly.

The results showed that Tai Chi was associated with trends, or definite improvement, in physical capacity and muscle strength in most or all four long term conditions.

This included improvements in the six minute walking test; muscle strength, as measured by bending and stretching the knees; the time it takes to get up and move known as the TUG test; and quality of life.

Tai Chi was also associated with an improvement in the symptoms of pain and stiffness in osteoarthritis and in breathlessness in COPD. And it was associated with improved sit to stand times among patients with osteoarthritis.

Since this is an observational study, no definitive conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect, added to which the only cancer included in the analysis was breast cancer.

The findings are detailed in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.