Application of a Mixed Live and Online Live Streaming Exercise Program of Tai Chi and Its Effect on Dynamic Balance, Physical Function of Lower Limbs and Aerobic Capacity of Adults

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of a mixed intervention program, with live and distance online Tai Chi (TC) practice on healthy adult practitioners and its effect on dynamic balance, physical function of lower limbs and aerobic capacity, which were measured at baseline and follow up. The sample of the study consisted of the experimental group (N = 19) of healthy subjects divided into two groups according to their level of experience in Tai Chi (beginner vs. experienced) and 15 healthy subjects (N = 15) of the control group who were sedentary individuals. The experimental group participated in a supervised Tai Chi program lasting 18 weeks, of which 9 weeks of live training sessions (before the pandemic) and 9 further weeks in online distance practice during the pandemic restrictive measures. The exercise frequency was 3 times/week, lasting 90 minutes during live lessons, while the online exercise duration was adjusted to 60 minutes. The Y-Test (Lower Quarter test) was used to measure the dynamic balance. The single limb single hop test measured physical function, while the 6-minute walking test was applied to measure aerobic capacity. The results of the present study showed that a statistically significant difference was observed in the dynamic balance of the left leg between the pre-and post-training measures for the experimental groups, with the experienced group scoring higher. Right leg results revealed improvements for TC practitioners, with the beginners group scoring significantly higher than experienced and control subjects. The asymmetry score changed positively for both experimental groups, with a higher index for the beginners group. Aerobic capacity scores were significantly improved between baseline and final measurements. The TC practitioners scored significantly higher than the control subjects. Furthermore, concerning the results in the physical function of the lower limbs, the TC-experienced group showed greater improvements compared to both TC beginners and the control group. Similar effects concerned right leg results. TC effectively improves balance and physical function of lower limbs in healthy adults due to the activation of different muscle groups, the sequence of movements, the duration, and the nature of the body mind. It should be incorporated in health prevention programs. Due to the pandemic, the implementation of distance learning became a solution for many exercise programs and complemented their content.