Tai Ji Quan:From traditional applications to contemporary practice

A warm welcome to this special issue of the Journal of Sport and Health Science,which is devoted to Tai Ji Quan and its wide range of applications. Tai Ji Quan is a unique aspect of Chinese culture,with a history extending back several centuries.1 Although it evolved from the martial art of Wushu,2 training and practice of Tai Ji Quan involve synchronized execution of bodily movements with deliberate intention and rhythmic breathing.For this reason,it has often been viewed as a healing art for nurturing the human body,warding off diseases,and enhancing overall health and well-being.The unique combination of these martial and healing dimensions has made Tai Ji Quan a distinctive exercise modality that attracts practitioners of all ages from all walks of life.

Physical activity, aging, and health in China: Addressing public health needs in the presence of continued economic growth and urbanization

The significant increase in the number of older adults in China,coupled with continuing industrialization and urbanization,has profound social and economic ramifications,including the evolution of major challenges to public health,elder care services,policy-making,and the nation’s healthcare system.While the unprecedented changes in political and economic structures have obviously increased China’s productivity and revenues,what is less well understood is how they