Tai Chi Movements Research Articles

Knee biomechanics of selected knee-unfriendly movement elements in 42-form Tai Chi

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to examine ground reaction force (GRF) and knee biomechanical characteristics of certain knee-unfriendly Tai Chi movement elements, comparing them with slow walking, and examining the effects of pose height (low and high) of Tai Chi movement elements on the knee biomechanics. Seventeen participants performed three trials under eight conditions: slow walking, toe-touch pseudo-steps, and high- and low-pose lunges, pushdowns and kicks. Kinematic and GRF data were recorded simultaneously. Data were analysed using repeated measures analysis of variance (α = 0.05). Greater peak knee extension moments were found in all Tai Chi movement elements of both poses, except for high-pose kick, compared to slow walking. The peak knee extension moment was greater in the low-pose lunge, pushdown and kick than those of high-pose elements. The high-pose lunge also showed smaller peak knee abduction moment and knee adduction range of motion compared to the low-pose lunge. When designing Tai Chi exercises for knee osteoarthritis patients, it is recommended to modify lunge and avoid the Tai Chi movements that include pushdown and pseudo-step due to their high knee extension moments. A high-pose position would be more suitable for Tai Chi participants than a low-pose position.

Children and Adults Tai Chi Study (CF-CATS2): a randomised controlled feasibility study comparing internet-delivered with face-to-face Tai Chi lessons in cystic fibrosis.

Virtual healthcare is fast entering medical practice. Research into the feasibility of using it to teach treatment regimens such as exercise has not been explored. Maintaining an exercise regime can be difficult in cystic fibrosis: group classes risk potential infection, yet motivation is hard to maintain when alone. Tai Chi is a low-impact exercise and involves gentle, demanding movements. This study aimed to assess the feasibility, safety and acceptability of learning Tai Chi via an internet-based approach and compared patient-reported outcomes.Children and adults with cystic fibrosis were recruited to a randomised, comparative effectiveness trial. Participants learnt eight Tai Chi movements; teaching was delivered in eight lessons over 3 months: delivered either via the internet or face-to-face. Assessments were at 3-monthly intervals over 9 months. Outcomes included health status, quality of life, sleep, mindfulness and instructor-led questions.40 adults and children completed the eight sets of Tai Chi lessons. The median age was 22.8 years (range 6.1–51.5 years); 27 patients were female. The cohort comprised 26 adults (aged >16 years), six teenagers and eight children (aged <12 years). The groups were well matched. Feasibility and safety were demonstrated. Participants showed significant improvements in self-reported sleep, cough (both daytime and night-time), stomach ache and breathing. No differences in lung function, health status, quality of life, sleep or mindfulness was shown before or after completing the lessons.Tai Chi was safe and well tolerated; it was feasible to deliver individual lessons via the internet, reducing concerns regarding cross-infection, and appeared to improve self-reported symptoms.

Alert Hypnosis With Tai Chi Movement for Trauma Resolution

Alert hypnosis has a growing body of evidence to support its use in resolving trauma symptoms. There is also research to support the use of tai chi in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Integrating alert hypnosis with tai chi movements offers the potential to further the benefits of both approaches. Patients have an opportunity to work toward their desired goals using hypnotic techniques to embody targeted changes both in session and outside the office. Providers get behavioral information about the physical and emotional states in the patient. This overlap provides an advanced platform for integrated clinical work, supporting a closer integration of curative processes.

Virtual Tai-Chi System: A smart-connected modality for rehabilitation

This work intends to develop an intelligent, four-dimensional (namely X-Y-Z plus somatosensory), partial control, and virtual-reality-enabled Tai-Chi System (VTCS). Tai-Chi is a traditional mind-body wellness and healing art, and its clinical benefits have been well documented. VTCS integrates Tai-Chi with a series of cutting-edge computer technologies including 4D sensor technology, big-data, signal processing and analysis, human body kinematics, deep learning, virtual reality, and 4D-reconstruction, etc. The aforementioned system will generate a controllable and consistent 4D experience to help, push and coach (HPC) people to get involved in sports activities. In particular, VTCS makes Tai-Chi movements suitable to individuals who suffer from mobility disabilities due to diseases or injuries as an accessible rehabilitation and fitness modality. VTCS consists of the following modules: acquisition, transmission and reconstruction of user׳s 4D data, data preprocessing, identification of user׳s kinetic movement, and individualized movement choreography. Under the support of collaborative hospitals, the physiological and psychological benefits brought about by VTCS will be critically assessed.

Association of α-actinin-3 gene polymorphism and muscle strength of postmenopausal women

Objective: To explore the association between α-actinin-3 (ACTN3) polymorphism and muscle strength in postmenopausal women. Methods: Five hundred and ninety-eight postmenopausal women with an average of (62.9±7.0) years old in Dongcheng District of Beijing were included. The ACTN3 polymorphism including rs540874, rs618838 and rs2229456 were genotyped by Sequenom Mass Array to explore their associations with muscle strength. One hundred and sixty-three of them were trained with regular Tai chi movement while 271 were administered with elemental calcium 600 mg/d combined with Vitamin D 800 U/d or calcitriol 0.25 μg/d for 2 years. Association between changes of muscle strength and ACTN3 polymorphism were analyzed. Results: The rs540874 genotypes were found to be significantly associated with chair stand test[GG (9.02±3.85) s vs GA (9.27±4.14) s vs AA (9.68±5.00) s, P=0.015]. Right grip strength in women with G allele were likely to be higher compared with A allele, but it was not statistically significant (P=0.056). Multiple linear regression showed that the chair stand test of AA genotype was statistically longer than that of GG and GA genotype (β=2.639, 95% CI: 1.632-4.646, P=0.010). The associations between rs618838, rs2229456 genotypes and muscle strength of both lower and upper limbs were not significant (all P>0.05). In addition, muscle strength of lower limbs of patients with rs540874 genotyped with G allele, rs618838 genotyped with C allele and rs2229456 genotyped with A allele increased significantly after enhanced exercise and vitamin D supplementation (all P<0.05). Conclusions: The rs540874 polymorphism of ACTN3 gene was associated with the muscle function of lower limb in postmenopausal women. The improvement of muscle strength after intervention were possibly correlated with rs540874, rs618838 and rs2229456 polymorphisms.

Kinetics of the lower limb during two typical Tai Chi movements in the elderly

ABSTRACTTai Chi (TC) is a recommended exercise for elderly people; however, its loading on the joints of the lower limbs is unknown. This study examined the 3D kinetics of the lower limbs during two typical TC movements and walking in the elderly. Fifteen experienced TC practitioners participated. Ground reaction forces, joint moments and time-to-peak joint moment generation were analysed. Compared with walking, both TC movements generated significantly (1) smaller peak ground reaction forces in all directions, except the anterior; (2) larger hip extension, adduction and internal rotational moments, knee adduction/abduction and internal rotation moments and eversion/inversion and external/internal moments of ankle–foot; and (3) longer peak moment generation time for hip extension, adduction and internal rotation, knee extension and ankle dorsiflexion and inversion. The TC loading patterns are consistent with the mechanical behaviour of biological tissues, which could help to strengthen the lower extremities and prevent falls in the elderly.

Adapting Tai Chi for Upper Limb Rehabilitation Post Stroke: A Feasibility Study.

Background: Tai chi (TC) has been reported as being beneficial for improving balance post stroke, yet its utility in upper limb rehabilitation remains unknown. Methods: Twelve chronic stroke survivors with persistent paresis of an upper limb underwent 60 minutes of adapted TC twice a week for eight weeks, with a 4-week follow up. A 10-min TC home program was recommended for the days without sessions. TC level of performance, attendance to the sessions, duration of self-practice at home, and adapted TC movements used were recorded. Results: Eleven participants completed the study. A clinical reasoning algorithm underlying the adaptation of TC was elaborated throughout the trial. Participants with varying profiles including a severely impaired upper limb, poor balance, shoulder pain, and severe spasticity were not only capable of practicing the adapted TC, but attended all 16 sessions and practiced TC at home for a total of 16.51 ± 9.21 h. The degree of self-practice for subgroups with low upper limb function, shoulder pain, or moderate-to-severe spasticity was similar to that of subgroups with greater upper limb function, no shoulder pain, and minimal-to-no spasticity. Conclusion: Adapted TC seems feasible for upper limb rehabilitation post stroke. Although the study was based on a small sample size and requires confirmation, low upper limb function, insufficient balance, spasticity, and shoulder pain do not appear to hinder the practice of TC.

Effect of a long-term modified Tai Chi-based intervention in attenuating bone mineral density in postmenopausal women in southeast China: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background and objectives: According to Chinese White Paper on Osteoporosis Prevention (2009), an estimated number of 69 million Chinese people are experiencing osteoporosis caused by loss and deterioration of bone mineral density (BMD). Middle-aged women have a greater possibility in developing osteoporosis in comparison with men because of a decreased estrogen level and degeneration in physical fitness level. A Tai Chi-based intervention in the present study will be created based on four components consisting of fall-prevention/balance training, stretching/flexibility training, resistance training (Tai Chi push hand), and strength training. Design: A prospective three-arm parallel randomized controlled trial. Methods: This study will take place in ten community centers in southeast China, and postmenopausal women aged 50–65 years and without menses for 6–12 months will be recruited and randomly assigned into three groups with the allocation ratio of 1:1:1 (n = 50 for each group), including two experimental groups (a traditional Tai Chi group and a modified Tai Chi-based intervention group) and a control group. Participants in the control group will be asked to maintain their original lifestyle during the 12-month intervention period. Participants in the traditional Tai Chi and modified Tai Chi-based intervention groups will experience the traditional Yang-style Tai Chi and receive the modified Tai Chi-based intervention, respectively. The modified Tai Chi-based intervention contains four components: 1) eight Tai Chi based fall-prevention movements; 2) ten Qigong-based stretching/flexibility movements; 3) eight resistance training-based Tai Chi push hand movements; 4) eight Chen style-based Tai Chi movements. For both the experimental groups, study participants will experience four 60-minute Tai Chi training sessions weekly for 12 months. Outcome measures: BMD at multiple musculoskeletal regions is primary outcome measure. Secondary outcome measures include low limb muscle strength, physical function, and reaction time at both upper and low limbs, which will be measured at baseline and 12 months (at the end of the intervention). Discussion: Results of this study will provide preliminary evidence regarding the value of Tai Chi movement as an intervention for attenuating BMD loss in postmenopausal women. Ethics and dissemination: This study protocol was approved by the Institution Review Board of Shanghai Sports University (approval No. 11290502800) and will be performed in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Patient recruitment started in August 2017. The analysis of primary outcome measures will be completed in October 2018. The estimated study completion date is June 2019. Dissemination plans include presentations at scientific conferences and scientific publications. Trial registration: This trial was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (registration No. ChiCTR-IOR-15005887) on 27 January 2015.

"DIRECTION-ORIENTED MOTION AND BALANCED SHORT-STANCE TAI CHI" MODEL: BIOMECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND PRACTICABILITY

Previous clinical studies on Tai Chi have often randomly adopted Tai Chi movements that are complicated and not systematic for the elderly and beginners to learn. This study aimed to develop a direction-based and easy-to-learn Tai Chi model, the practicability of which was also tested. This model adopted seven typical movements of the Yang-style Tai Chi form that were divided into four motion directions. The biomechanical characteristics, including muscle activation, body center of gravity movement, and center of pressure of the practitioner during Tai Chi were measured to identify the model's characteristics and practicability. After three months of training, the patterns of measured biomechanical characteristics of the beginners were similar to those of the masters. This model maintains the principal features of traditional Tai Chi and allows beginners to more easily practice the movements within a short period of time. Beginners can also use this model under relaxed conditions, with the correct kinesiology of Tai Chi motions, and quickly practice Tai Chi at a level similar to that of masters.

Experiences and perceptions of the short-form Sun-style Tai Chi training in Caucasians with COPD

IntroductionShort-form Sun-style Tai Chi (SSTC) is an effective form of exercise training for people with COPD. However, the experiences and perceptions of people with COPD about SSTC are unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the experiences and perceptions of STSS training by people with COPD. MethodsPeople with COPD who participated in a 12-week SSTC program were asked to complete a survey. Each question was associated with a visual analogue scale (VAS) of 100 millimetres (mm) and participants were asked to place a mark on the line at the point which best described the answer to the question. A higher score indicated a better experience. ResultsTwenty-three Caucasians with COPD and no previous Tai Chi experience, mean (SD) FEV1=55 (16)% predicted, completed the survey after SSTC training. Although participants reported moderate difficulty in remembering Tai Chi movements VAS=53 (30)mm, they reported high enjoyment with Tai Chi training (88 (10)mm) and large perceived improvement in physical fitness (77 (20)mm), flexibility (75 (20)mm), balance 78 (10)mm) and relaxation (79 (20)mm). The majority of participants indicated that they would continue Tai Chi as their regular maintenance exercise regimen in the long-term (82 (20)mm). ConclusionsCaucasians with COPD found that SSTC was an enjoyable mode of exercise and that it was an effective way to improve physical fitness, flexibility, balance and relaxation. Participants reported that they would continue Tai Chi as their regular maintenance exercise regimen.

Pattern Recognition of Movements in Wushu Based on Image Processing Technology

In this paper, the genetic algorithm for the key point of image capture is improved, and the joint programming of VC and Matlab is used to achieve data transmission, the FAB body identification system signal that collected with VC was processed by Matlab software, eventually Tai Chi chuan movement design computer system has got. In order to verify the validity and reliability of the platform, taking the movements development of Wu style Tai Chi chuan and 24 style Tai Chi chuan for example, this article has performed three-dimensional simulation design on Tai Chi movements. The time curve of the knee joint displacement and the average angle table of knee movement have been got by the computer design platform of Tai Chi movements, which provides digital technology support for the study of tai chi movements design.

Meditation and mindfulness in clinical practice.

This article describes the various forms of meditation and provides an overview of research using these techniques for children, adolescents, and their families. The most researched techniques in children and adolescents are mindfulness-based stress reduction, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, yoga meditation, transcendental meditation, mind-body techniques (meditation, relaxation), and body-mind techniques (yoga poses, tai chi movements). Current data are suggestive of a possible value of meditation and mindfulness techniques for treating symptomatic anxiety, depression, and pain in youth. Clinicians must be properly trained before using these techniques.

The Temporospatial and Kinematic Characteristics of Typical Tai Chi Movements: Repulse Monkey and Wave-hand in Cloud

Tai Chi movements share many similar biomechanical features with normal walking. The purpose of the study was to examine and to compare the temporospatial and kinematic features of two typical Tai Chi movements with forward walking. Experienced male Tai Chi practitioners (n = 15) between the ages of 65 to 75, performed ‘Repulse Monkey (RM)’, ‘Wave-hand in Cloud (WHIC)’, and forward walking. The results showed that stride width was larger for WHIC compared with walking; double-support time was longer for RM while both Tai Chi movements spent less time in single-support. The Tai Chi movements elicit larger vertical and mediolateral displacement of the centre of mass compared with walking. During RM and WHIC, the knees remained flexed while RM had notably larger abduction and adduction of the knee joint. The gentle and fluid Tai Chi movements have unique biomechanical features that may result in special training to postural control capacity.

The fraction of an action is more than a movement: Neural signatures of event segmentation in fMRI

When we observe an action, we recognize meaningful action steps that help us to predict probable upcoming action steps. This segmentation of observed actions, or more generally events, has been proposed to rely in part on changes in motion features. However, segmentation of actions, in contrast to meaningless movements, may exploit additional information such as action knowledge. The present fMRI study sought to tear apart the neural signatures of processing two sources of information that observers may exploit at action boundaries: change in motion dynamics and action knowledge. To this end, subjects performed a segmentation task on both actions (that can be segmented based on motion and action knowledge) as well as tai chi movements (that can be segmented only based on motion) and two further control conditions that implemented point-light walker like displays of the same videos. Behavioral tests showed that motion features played a critical role in boundary detection in all conditions. Consistent with this finding, activity in area MT was enhanced during boundary detection in all conditions, but importantly, this effect was not stronger for actions. In contrast, only action boundary detection was reflected by specific activation in the superior frontal sulcus, parietal angular gyrus and the parahippocampal cortex. Based on these findings, we propose that during action observation, motion features trigger a top-down modulation of the attentional focus and the incitement of retrieving long-term memory place-action associations. While action perception entails activity common to processing of all motion stimuli, it is at the same time unique as it allows long-term memory based predictions of succeeding steps.

The Story of the Evolution of a Unique Tai Chi Form

The purpose of this article is to introduce a unique tai chi form that has been successfully implemented in two large randomized clinical trials. The intervention is composed of a series of tai chi movements chosen for their particular meanings, thus adding a cognitive component to the practice of a moving meditation. Over the last decade, the intervention has continued to evolve as it has been used in different populations. Most recently, medical qigong has been integrated to strengthen its potential impact on a variety of biobehavioral measures associated with cardiometabolic risk in women. Following an appraisal of the authors' process as well as the philosophy, practice, and research of tai chi and qigong, the authors share the story of their intervention to contribute to the evolving research of these safe, well-received, low-cost, and beneficial practices.

Chinese Science in Piano Pedagogy: Evaluating the Chronicles of Piano Playing Technique with Taichi

This paper examines theories of taichi, and the application of this Eastern philosophical concept of movement in the aspect of piano playing technique. The theory of yin and yang, which is the philosophical backbone of all taichi movements, is examined in depth and its theory is employed in studying the traditional and modern approaches of piano playing. Selected components of taichi: balance between yin and yang, and the taichi diagram are found to give new insights in a piano pedagogical sense.

Effects of Tai Chi Training on Antioxidant Capacity in Pre- and Postmenopausal Women

The risk of oxidative stress-related metabolic diseases increases with menopause and physical inactivity. We hypothesized that an 8-week Tai Chi (TC) training program (2 sessions in class; 2 sessions at home; 1-1:15/session) would improve antioxidant capacity and reduce cardiovascular risks in both pre- (n = 8) and postmenopausal (n = 7) sedentary women. Selected measures of physical fitness and blood parameters were analyzed before and after the program. Besides the well-known effects of TC on balance, flexibility, and maximum leg extensor strength, TC (1) increased erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity—an aerobic training-responsive antioxidant enzyme—and plasma total antioxidant status and (2) decreased plasma total homocysteine, a cardiovascular risk marker. In addition to being a low-velocity, low-impact, and relatively safe, TC is a suitable physical activity design for pre- and postmenopausal women to increase antioxidant defenses. Investigating breathing effects during TC movements would be an interesting area for further research in diseases prevention.

Tai chi/yoga effects on anxiety, heartrate, EEG and math computations

To determine the immediate effects of a combined form of Tai chi/yoga. 38 adults participated in a 20-min Tai chi/yoga class. The session was comprised of standing Tai chi movements, balancing poses and a short Tai chi form and 10 min of standing, sitting and lying down yoga poses. The pre- and post- Tai chi/yoga effects were assessed using the State Anxiety Inventory (STAI), EKG, EEG and math computations. Heartrate increased during the session, as would be expected for this moderate-intensity exercise. Changes from pre to post-session assessments suggested increased relaxation including decreased anxiety and a trend for increased EEG theta activity. The increased relaxation may have contributed to the increased speed and accuracy noted on math computations following the Tai chi/yoga class.

TRAINING BASED ON REAL-TIME MOTION EVALUATION FOR FUNCTIONAL REHABILITATION IN VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT

One of the most effective applications of virtual reality (VR) in physical rehabilitation is training, where patients are trained for sequence decision-making in special situations presented in virtual environment. In this application, the evaluation of the movement of the subject performing a physical task is crucial. A good evaluation of the motion is necessary to follow the progression of the patient during his training session. Therefore, it helps therapist to better supervise therapeutic planning. Actually, the performance of the patient's training is determined by subjective observation of the therapist. Our approach is to propose a system that allows the patient to perform his training and to evaluate the progress of training in an autonomous way. This system consists of a motion analysis technique for a rehabilitation application where the patient is represented by his own avatar in virtual environment. The task performance required from the patient is his capability to reproduce in real time a movement. The real-time motion evaluation technique is based on the time series data matching method called Longest Common Sub-Sequence (hereafter LCSS). It is used to calculate distance between the reference motion of virtual avatar and the captured motion data of the patients and thus is used to determine how well the patients are doing during the training. The complexity of the technique proposed is in the order of O (δ) in which δ is a constant matching window size. Our prototype application is based on Tai-chi movements which have shown many health benefits and are increasingly used for therapeutic purposes.

P067 Treadmill gait in diplegic cerebral palsy

To determine the immediate effects of a combined form of Tai chi/yoga.38 adults participated in a 20-min Tai chi/yoga class. The session was comprised of standing Tai chi movements, balancing poses and a short Tai chi form and 10 min of standing, sitting and lying down yoga poses.The pre- and post- Tai chi/yoga effects were assessed using the State Anxiety Inventory (STAI), EKG, EEG and math computations.Heartrate increased during the session, as would be expected for this moderate-intensity exercise. Changes from pre to post-session assessments suggested increased relaxation including decreased anxiety and a trend for increased EEG theta activity.The increased relaxation may have contributed to the increased speed and accuracy noted on math computations following the Tai chi/yoga class.