Balance control, flexibility, and cardiorespiratory fitness among older Tai Chi practitioners

Abstract

Background-Tai Chi Chuan (TTC) exercise has beneficial eVects on the components of physical condition and can produce a substantial reduction in the risk of multiple falls. Previous studies have shown that short term TCC exercise did not improve the scores in the single leg stance test with eyes closed and the sit and reach test. There has apparently been no research into the eVects of TCC on total body rotation flexibility and heart rate responses at rest and after a three minute step test. Methods-In this cross sectional study, 28 male TCC practitioners with an average age of 67.5 years old and 13.2 years of TCC exercise experience were recruited to form the TCC group. Another 30 sedentary men aged 66.2 were selected to serve as the control group. Measurements included resting heart rate, left and right single leg stance with eyes closed, modified sit and reach test, total body rotation test (left and right), and a three minute step test. Results-Compared with the sedentary group, the TCC group had significantly better scores in resting heart rate, three minute step test heart rate, modified sit and reach, total body rotation test on both right and left side (p<0.01), and both right and left leg standing with eyes closed (p<0.05). According to the American Fitness Standards, the TCC group attained the 90th percentile rank for sit and reach and total body rotation test, right and left. Conclusion-Long term regular TCC exercise has favourable eVects on the promotion of balance control, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness in older adults. (Br J Sports Med 2000;34:29-34)

Efeitos do Tai Chi Chuan na força dos músculos extensores dos joelhos e no equilíbrio em idosas

“…Th e gains in balance could be explained by an integration of the physical exercises with stretching and mental concentration, which perhaps resulted in an effi cient training of the neuromotor refl exes 22 . Th e results of this study are in agreement with the studies of Tse and Bailey 23 , Ross et al 22 and Hong et al 24 which also showed a signifi cant improvement in balance of both legs for TCC practitioners tested in many diffi cult situations. However, these results oppose the fi ndings of Wolf et al 6,25 , or classical studies which compared the eff ects of TCC practice with the eff ects of a computerized training of balance and with the actions taken for the control group.…”

Effects of a Physical Activity Intervention Program on Nutritional Status and Health-Related Physical Fitness in Thai Older Adults: Pilot Study

“…The increased of ROM can most likely be attributed to the static stretching which is most commonly advised as a method for increasing flexibility (27). The maintenance and development of levels of flexibility closely related to strength and balance are important components of a general health enhancement program during the aging process (28) and decrements in joint ROM with age and established links among poor flexibility, mobility, and physical independence (29)(30)(31). The increase of ROM resulting from prolonged stretching, as in our study, is most likely due to an increase in length of both connective and muscle tissue (32).…”

Is Tai Chi Chuan effective in improving lower limb response time to prevent backward falls in the elderly?

“…An advanced training program for TCC practitioners-push-hands (Tuishou)-may be helpful in improving backward balance. During push-hands exercise, two participants gently push each other with one or two hands, which consists of repeated motions of "forward shifting-push-backward shiftingtrunk rotation" (Hong et al 2000). In the whole set Fig.…”