Participant characteristics
Tai Chi experts (Demographics and cross‐sectional comparisons.Values provided are mean ± standard deviation.The difference on age compared to naïve younger adults was expected given the study design. No significant difference on age was found between Tai Chi‐naïve older adults and Tai Chi expert older adults.Physical Activity Level descriptions: 4 = Run about 1 mile per week OR walk about 1.3 miles per week OR spend about 30 min per week in comparable physical activity. 5 = Run about 1–5 miles per week OR walk 1.3–6 miles per week OR spend 30 to 60 min per week in comparable physical activity. 6 = Run about 6–10 miles per week OR walk 7–13 miles per week OR spend 1–3 h per week in comparable physical activity.Abbreviations: BMI, body mass index; MMSE, Mini‐Mental State Examination; N.A., not available.Tai Chi‐naïve older adults subsequently randomized to Tai Chi plus usual care versus usual care alone were comparable at baseline. For all variables, the values for the subset of participants who completed the study were comparable to those in the larger sample, thereby minimizing potential sources of bias in post hoc comparisons between the control and Tai Chi‐compliant groups.