Tai chi and muscle strength: research overview

Not medical advice. This page lists research about tai chi and muscle strength. It does not say whether tai chi works for any person or condition. Talk to a qualified health professional before starting a new exercise program, especially if you have a medical condition.

Studies in PubMed

36 (tagged with “Muscle Strength” as a major topic)

Years

2005–2026

Registered trials

0 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Types of studies

Each study is counted once, under its strongest type in this order: meta-analysis, systematic review, randomized controlled trial, clinical trial, review, observational study.

Studies, newest first

1. Effects of Tai Chi-based combined interventions on muscle function, muscle mass, and physical performance in older adults with sarcopenia, frailty, or risk of functional decline: a systematic review and meta-analysis. — Frontiers in public health, 2026 · DOIMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
2. Effects of digitalized Tai Chi intervention on muscle function and physical performance in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. — Frontiers in public health, 2026 · DOISystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
3. Mind-body exercise for improving balance, aerobic capacity, walking ability, muscle strength, and mental health in patients with type 2 diabetes: a network meta-analysis. — Frontiers in endocrinology, 2026 · DOISystematic Review
4. The effects of Tai Chi Chuan combined with unstable resistance training on knee muscle strength and dynamic balance in female college students: a randomized controlled study protocol. — Frontiers in public health, 2026 · DOI
5. Effects of Taiji Stick exercise on strength, balance, and activities of daily living in older adults: a randomized controlled trial. — Frontiers in public health, 2025 · DOIRandomized Controlled Trial
6. The effectiveness of exercise interventions on muscle strength and balance function in pre-frail older adults: a systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis. — Frontiers in public health, 2025 · DOISystematic Review
7. The Efficacy of 12-Week Progressive Home-Based Strength and Tai-Chi Exercise Snacking in Older Adults: A Mixed-Method Exploratory Randomised Control Trial. — The Journal of frailty & aging, 2024 · DOIRandomized Controlled Trial
8. 12-week concurrent brisk walking and Taijiquan (Tai Chi) improve balance, flexibility, and muscular strength of Chinese older women. — PloS one, 2023 · DOI
9. Effect of a Multicomponent Exercise Program (VIVIFRAIL) on Functional Capacity in Elderly Ambulatory: A Non-Randomized Clinical Trial in Mexican Women with Dynapenia. — The journal of nutrition, health & aging, 2021 · DOI
10. Effects of wheelchair Tai Chi ball exercise on physical and mental health and functional abilities among elderly with physical disability. — Research in sports medicine (Print), 2021 · DOI
11. The effects of tai chi chuan exercise training on countermovement jump performance in the elderly. — Research in sports medicine (Print), 2020 · DOI
12. Balance and Functional Outcomes for Older Community-Dwelling Adults Who Practice Tai Chi and Those Who Do Not: A Comparative Study. — Journal of geriatric physical therapy (2001), 2019 · DOI
13. Effects of individualized Tai-Chi on balance and lower-limb strength in older adults. — BMC geriatrics, 2019 · DOIClinical Trial
14. Feasibility and outcome of an individualized Tai Chi program for improving balance and strength in the elderly: A pilot study. — NeuroRehabilitation, 2018 · DOI
15. Effects of Enhanced Exercise and Combined Vitamin D and Calcium Supplementation on Muscle Strength and Fracture Risk in Postmenopausal Chinese Women. — Zhongguo yi xue ke xue yuan xue bao. Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae, 2017 · DOIRandomized Controlled Trial
16. Higher DHEAS Levels Associated with Long-Term Practicing of Tai Chi. — The Chinese journal of physiology, 2017 · DOI
17. Tai chi for health benefits in patients with multiple sclerosis: A systematic review. — PloS one, 2017 · DOISystematic Review
18. Effect of Tai Chi on muscle strength of the lower extremities in the elderly. — Chinese journal of integrative medicine, 2016Clinical Trial
19. Effects of Weighted Tai Chi on Leg Strength of Older Adults. — Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 2015 · DOIRandomized Controlled Trial
20. The effects of Tai-Chi in conjunction with thera-band resistance exercise on functional fitness and muscle strength among community-based older people. — Journal of clinical nursing, 2015 · DOIRandomized Controlled Trial
21. Ground reaction force characteristics of Tai Chi push hand. — Journal of sports sciences, 2014 · DOI
22. The effect of tai chi on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a pilot randomised study of lung function, exercise capacity and diaphragm strength. — Heart, lung & circulation, 2014 · DOIRandomized Controlled Trial
23. Effect of tai chi on musculoskeletal health-related fitness and self-reported physical health changes in low income, multiple ethnicity mid to older adults. — BMC geriatrics, 2013 · DOI
24. Effects of Tai Chi training on arterial compliance and muscle strength in female seniors: a randomized clinical trial. — European journal of preventive cardiology, 2013 · DOIRandomized Controlled Trial
25. Tai Chi, arterial compliance, and muscle strength in older adults. — European journal of preventive cardiology, 2013 · DOI
26. Effects of 12-week Tai Chi training on soleus H-reflex and muscle strength in older adults: a pilot study. — European journal of applied physiology, 2012 · DOI
27. Effects of tai chi on lower-limb myodynamia in the elderly people: a meta-analysis. — Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan, 2011Meta-Analysis
28. A randomized study of the effects of t'ai chi on muscle strength, bone mineral density, and fear of falling in women with osteoarthritis. — Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.), 2010 · DOIRandomized Controlled Trial
29. Changes in muscle strength, endurance, and reaction of the lower extremities with Tai Chi intervention. — Journal of biomechanics, 2009 · DOI
30. Effects of 5-Form, Yang Style Tai Chi on older females who have or are at risk for developing osteoporosis. — Physiotherapy theory and practice, 2008 · DOIClinical Trial
31. Muscle action pattern and knee extensor strength of older Tai Chi exercisers. — Medicine and sport science, 2008 · DOI
32. Tai Chi exercise and muscle strength and endurance in older people. — Medicine and sport science, 2008 · DOI
33. A randomised controlled trial of Tai Chi and resistance exercise on bone health, muscle strength and balance in community-living elderly people. — Age and ageing, 2007Randomized Controlled Trial
34. Effects of extended Tai Chi intervention on balance and selected motor functions of the elderly. — The American journal of Chinese medicine, 2007
35. [Strength training and tai-chi to prevent accidental falls]. — MMW Fortschritte der Medizin, 2007
36. Effects of Tai Chi on balance, mobility, and strength among older persons participating in an osteoporosis prevention and education program. — Explore (New York, N.Y.), 2005Clinical Trial

Government health information

The U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health summarizes the evidence on tai chi.

Study list: PubMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), citation data only. Trials: ClinicalTrials.gov. Retrieved 2026-10-22.

Data: PubMed (NLM citation data, free to use (abstracts not reproduced)); ClinicalTrials.gov (Public domain (U.S. Government work)); NCCIH (Public domain (U.S. Government work)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.