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

Abstract

To evaluate the training effect of Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) in postural control and backward fall prevention in the elderly, balance assessment and visually guided lower limb response time were analyzed in a case-control study conducted in a community setting. Thirty-one elderly subjects (mean age: 68.2±6.8 years) participated in the TCC group, 30 community-dwelling elderly subjects with matched age and body composition served as the elderly control group, with 13 young adults (mean age: 27.5±3.8 years) serving as young controls. The TCC group had practiced TCC regularly five times per week, for over 30 min per day for at least 4 years. Lower limb response time were measured using a computerized dance machine that we developed, which contains two blocks during testing: single and dual feet. The motor planning of the latter is more complex than the former. Postural control was assessed by computerized posturography (Smart Balance Master). Compared to the elderly controls, the TCC group demonstrated significantly better balance performance in sway-referenced support, which is more challenging. Moreover, the TCC group had better dual feet response than the elderly controls in the forward-backward, forward-right and forwardleft directions. Practicing TCC may improve motor responses and postural control in the elderly, particularly in more challenging situations. Subjects showed better postural responses to unexpected perturbation in the forward-backward and forward-sideways direction than sideways or backward-sideways directions, which may have clinical relevance.

Tai-Chi for Residential Patients with Schizophrenia on Movement Coordination, Negative Symptoms, and Functioning: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Tai-chi emphasizes movement rhythm, which may have helped prevent motor deteriorations as a result of schizophrenia or extra-pyramidal symptoms. This outcome concurs with research demonstrating improved motor responses and postural control among the elderly regularly practising Tai-chi [41]. For patients with schizophrenia, better psychomotor functioning is related to social, clinical, and functioning outcomes [42].…”

Strategies of stepping over obstacles: The effects of long-term exercise in older adults

“…While both TC [13,14,16] and walking [9,10] improve posture, balance, and lower limb strength in healthy older adults, there are unique strategies that develop with long-term exposure to walking and TC that affect the obstacle-crossing pattern, which may affect tripping and fall risk.…”

“…Moreover, lower limb muscle strength would provide a greater understanding of the functional demand of the task relative to the participant strength, which plays a role in obstacle-crossing pattern [36]. Previous research suggests that strength gains are seen in both activities [9,10,[12][13][14]16], but it is unknown if both groups had similar leg strengths.…”

“…Tai Chi (TC), a Chinese martial art, has also been shown to be an effective exercise program for fall prevention in communitydwelling older adult populations [11]. The beneficial effects of TC include improved muscle strength, flexibility, fitness [12], postural stability [13][14][15], and proprioception [12,14,16], all of which may contribute to the reduced fall risk associated with this practice [11].…”

Simplified Tai Chi 6-Form Apparatus for Balance in Elderly People with Alzheimer’s Disease

“…Practicing TC can train people to perform dual-task activities because the practitioner's eye focuses on the leading arm and the mind focuses on the breath and movement sequences. Our previous studies have proven that TC can improve fitness, balance, and hand-eye coordination in elderly people [13][14][15].…”