Effects of Tai Chi Exercise on body stability among the elderly during stair descent under different levels of illumination. Issue 2 (3rd April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Song, Qipeng; Tian, Xuewen; Wong, Del; Zhang, Cui; Sun, Wei; Cheng, Peng; Mao, Dewei
• Is Part Of: Research in sports medicine. Volume 25:Issue 2(2017)
• Page Start: 197
• Page End: 208
• Publication Date: 2017-04-03
• Subjects: Aged -- fall -- gait -- stair walking; Sports medicine -- Periodicals; Athletic Injuries -- Periodicals; Exercise -- Periodicals; Sports Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine du sport -- Périodiques; 617.102705
• DOI: 10.1080/15438627.2017.1282363
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1543-8627

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The elderly are prone to stair descent falls under low illumination. Tai Chi, a traditional Chinese conditioning exercise, has been proved to improve body stability by altering body condition, gait, and proprioception. This study investigates whether Tai Chi exercise could improve body stability during stair descent under high and low illumination. Three groups of elderly women who practice Tai Chi, brisk walking, and no exercise were included. They descended from a simulated staircase. Tai Chi participants decreased horizontal velocity, centre of mass (COM) sway, and increased foot clearance compared with other participants, these movements could increase body stability; Compared with under high illumination, Tai Chi participants decreased horizontal velocity, loading rate, braking impulse, and increased inclination angle, COM sway, centre of pressure displacement under low illumination. Tai Chi participants were more sensitive to the difference in illumination, and took corresponding strategies to stabilize their bodies during stair descent.