Effects of Tai Chi Exercise on the Center of Pressure Trace during Obstacle Crossing in Older Adults who are at a Risk of Falling

Abstract

Abstract.[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes of the center of pressure (COP) trace in fall-prone older adults during obstacle crossing before and after Tai Chi exercise.[Subjects] Fifty-two fall-prone older adults participated in either a 12-week intervention of Tai Chi exercise or in a health education program.[Methods] The subjects were pre-and post-tested in a task in which they were asked to step over an obstacle from a quiet stance. The subjects were divided into two groups (the experimental group and the control group). Participants in the experimental group received Tai Chi exercise emphasizing dynamic weight shifting three times weekly. Participants in the control group met for one-hour weekly and listened to lectures about health promotion. Performance was assessed by recording the changes in the displacement of the COP in the anteroposterior (A-P) and mediolateral (M-L) directions using a force platform.[Results] The experimental group of subjects significantly increased A-P and M-L displacement of the COP after Tai Chi exercise (p<0.05).[Conclusion] This study shows that participation in Tai Chi exercise increased the magnitude of the A-P and M-L displacement of the COP, thereby improving the ability of older adults to generate momentum to initiate gait.

The Effectiveness of Community-Based Tai Chi Training on Balance Control during Stair Descent by Older Adults

“…Thus, muscle activity at the ankle and hip tend to propel the COM forward and toward the intended stance limb. The present findings are consistent with the findings of a previous study 34) that demonstrated increased M-L COP movement during obstacle crossing after Tai Chi training of fall-prone adults. Chris et al 33) and Martin et al 40) also reported that healthy older adults had an increased M-L COP during level walking as compared to older adults with balance impairment.…”

“…In this study, TC group participants were able to improve A-P displacement of the COP an average 17.8 cm for both the right foot and the left foot, whereas the WE group participants showed little change in the A-P displacement of the COP between pre-and posttraining. These observations are similar to observations made during level walking and while stepping over an obstacle on the ground after TC training 33,34) . In previous studies, Chris et al 33) and Kim 34) have demonstrated increased backward movement of the COP after Tai Chi training in fallprone adults.…”

“…These observations are similar to observations made during level walking and while stepping over an obstacle on the ground after TC training 33,34) . In previous studies, Chris et al 33) and Kim 34) have demonstrated increased backward movement of the COP after Tai Chi training in fallprone adults. Interestingly, TC participants were able to increase the magnitude of the A-P displacement of the COP closer to the magnitude reported for more healthy elderly subjects 52) , whereas WE participants showed little change in the displacement of the A-P COP.…”

“…TC has been shown to be particularly effective in the prevention of falls and fall-related injuries among the elderly as its movement forms incorporate elements of balance control, postural alignment, concentration, strength, environmental awareness and endurance 32) . Indeed, participation in Tai Chi has been shown to improve balance control [33][34][35][36] and postural stability 37) . However, no studies have been identified in the clinical literature that have specifically examined the effects of Tai Chi training on motor coordination and balance control during stair descent by the elderly.…”

Tai Chi and Its Effects on Dynamic Postural Control in the Initiation of Gait by Older People

“…These findings are similar to those reported for level walking, stepping over an obstacle on the ground and descending stairs after TC training 20,50,51) . In those previous studies, Chris et al 20) and Kim 50,51) reported increased posterior displacement of COP after TC training in both healthy and frail older adults when they initiated gait or descended stairs.…”