Abstract
Hass CJ, Gregor RJ, Waddell DE, Oliver A, Smith DW, Fleming RP, Wolf SL. The influence
of Tai Chi training on the center of pressure trajectory during gait initiation in
older adults. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2004;85:1593–8.
Objective
To determine if a program of intense Tai Chi exercise that has been shown to reduce
the risk of falling in older adults improves postural control by altering the center
of pressure (COP) trajectory during gait initiation.
Design
Before-after trial.
Setting
Biomechanics research laboratory.
Participants
Twenty-eight older adults transitioning to frailty who participated in either a 48-week
intervention of intense Tai Chi training or a wellness education (WE) program.
Interventions
Eight Tai Chi forms emphasizing trunk rotation, weight shifting, coordination, and
narrowing of lower-extremity stance were taught twice weekly. WE program participants
met once a week and received lectures focused on health.
Main outcome measures
The COP was recorded during gait initiation both before and after the 48-week intervention
by using a forceplate sampling at 300Hz. The COP trajectory was divided into 3 periods
(S1, S2, S3) by identifying 2 landmark events. Displacement and average velocity of
the COP trace in the anteroposterior (x) and mediolateral (y) directions, as well as smoothness, were calculated.
Results
Tai Chi training increased the posterior displacement of the COP during S1 and improved
the smoothness of the COP during S2.
Conclusions
Tai Chi improved the mechanism by which forward momentum is generated and improved
coordination during gait initiation, suggesting improvements in postural control.
Keywords
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Article info
Footnotes
☆Supported by the National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health (grant no. AG 14767) and the Center for Human Movement Studies, Georgia Tech.
Identification
Copyright
© 2004 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
