Summary of studies measuring the effects of Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) exercise on posture control
Reference | Subject numbers Average age (years) | Design and measurements | Results |
---|---|---|---|
IN, Intervention; Con, control; BT, balance training. | |||
Tse et al14 | N = 9 (TCC) | Cross sectional study | TCC group had significantly better posture control capacity with vision. |
N = 9 (Con) | Single leg stance with both the eyes open and closed forms | ||
Age = 65–86 | Heel to toe walking with eyes open | ||
Schaller17 | N = 24 (TCC) | 10 week IN | Significantly improved balance capacity with vision, but flexibility did not change. |
N = 22 (Con) | Single leg stance with both the eyes open and closed forms | ||
Age = 70 | Sit and reach test | ||
Wolf et al18 | N = 72 (TCC) | (15 week IN & 4 month follow up) | Fear of falling was reduced after the TCC intervention, when compared with the Education group. |
N = 64 (BT) | Isometric contractions about the hip, knee, or ankle | ||
N = 64 (Con) | Grip strength | ||
Age = 76.2 | Fear of falling questionnaire | ||
Wolfson et al21 | N = 110 | 6 month IN | TCC training has the effect of maintaining the significant balance and strength gains. |
Age = 80 | Loss of balance during sensory organisation testing, single stance time, voluntary limits of stability, isokinetic torque of eight lower extremity movements, gait velocity | ||
Shih20 | N = 11 | 16 week IN | Significantly decreased the average velocity of sway in dynamic conditions, but not in static conditions. |
Age = 30.8 | Velocity of sway in anterior and posterior in static and dynamic conditions | ||
Jacobson et al19 | N = 12 (TCC) | 12 week IN | Lateral stability, kinaesthetic sense at 60°, and strength of the knee extensor were significantly improved |
N = 12 (Con) | Isometric muscle strength at 90°, lateral body stability, kinaesthetic sense in the glenohumeral joint at 30°, 45°, and 60° | ||
Age = 30.4 | |||
Hong et al16 | N = 28 (TCC) | Cross sectional study | Long term TCC practice can significantly improve balance capacity with and without vision, and flexibility |
Age = 67 | Single limb stance with the eyes open and eyes closed forms | ||
N = 30 (Con) | Sit and reach test | ||
Age = 66.2 |