THE EFFECT OF LONG TERM TAI CHI EXERCISE ON POSTURAL CONTROL

Abstract

We have attempted to assess the effect of long term Tai Chi exercise on the postural sway under several different conditions. Tai Chi is a traditional Chinese exercise that consists of a series of individual dance-like movements linked together in a continuous, smooth-flowing sequence. PURPOSE: To examine individuals who have been involved in long-term Tai Chi exercise, and compare them with a group of individuals who have not been involved in Tai Chi exercise. The two groups were compared on balance measures under several different conditions to determine the effect of long term Tai Chi exercise on postural control. METHODS: Tai Chi Group (TCG, practicing over 3 years), including 11 healthy regular Tai Chi practitioners (mean ± SD, age = 42.4 ± 12.32 y), compared with a Control Group (CG), including 11 healthy people with no Tai Chi experience (mean ± SD age = 41 ± 12.12 yr). Static postural sway (sway area) was measured on a Kistler force platform under four conditions: 1) eyes open (EO); 2) eyes closed (EC); 3) eyes open with head-turn movement (EOT); and 4) eyes closed with head-turn movement (ECT). Dynamic postural sway was measured on a stabilometer. RESULTS: A significant difference (p < .01) was observed in the static postural sway between TCG and CG. Specifically, TCG had significantly less postural sway than the CG with eyes open, eyes closed, eyes open head-turn and eyes closed head-turn. But Tai Chi practitioner did not perform better on the stabilometer. The correlation between dynamic balance and static balance under conditions of EO, EC and EOT was not significant. A significant correlation (p < .05) between dynamic balance and static balance with EOT was observed. A significant negative correlation was found between age and dynamic balance (p < .05). CONCLUSION: The results suggested that long term Tai Chi exercise could improve static balance. The correlation between static balance and dynamic balance depends on the conditions of the measurement. There is a negative correlation between age and dynamic balance. Supported by the School of HPER Research Grant Award, Indiana University.