Study on the Influence of Tai Chi and Latin Dance Exercise on Knee Joint Proprioception Using Common Test Methods

Abstract

Purpose: To study the influence of two types of motion, dance and Tai Chi, on knee joint proprioception and analyse the different ways in which physical exercise affects body proprioception. Method: All experiments were conducted in Sports Biomechanics Laboratory at College of Physical Education and Sport at Beijing Normal University. The Biodex isokinetic test system (Biodex system 4, BS4) from the United States Biodex medical was used to test passive position sense and force sense of the dominant knee. Results: When the knee joint was at 15, 30 and 45 degree positions, the Tai Chi exercise group was much better than sedentary group (P<0.05) and the 45 degree position in the Tai Chi group was much better than that in the Latin dance group (P<0.01).When the knee joint was at the 30 and 60 degree positions, the quadriceps force sense was significantly better in the Tai Chi group than in the Latin dance and sedentary groups. In a test of the four angles, the hamstring force sense in the Tai Chi exercise group was obviously better than that in the sedentary group (P<0.05); at the 15 degree position, the Tai Chi group was significantly better than the Latin group (P<0.05); and at both 30 and 60 degree positions, the hamstring force sense of the Latin group was obviously better than that of the sedentary group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Compared to Latin dance exercise, Tai Chi exercise can improve both position sense and force sense to improve knee joint control ability and increase body balance to prevent injury in athletes and falls in the elderly.