Biomechanical Analysis of Tai Chi (Eight Methods and Five Steps) for Athletes’ Body Balance Control
Abstract
Background: The increasing number of Tai Chi practitioners has led to extensive attention from researchers regarding the role of Tai Chi exercise. Numerous studies have been conducted through various experiments to examine the effects of Tai Chi on physical and mental improvement. Objective: This paper aims to investigate the effect of practicing Tai Chi (eight methods and five steps) on athletes’ body balance control ability from a biomechanical perspective. Methods: Twenty male athletes were randomly divided into two groups. They had no significant differences in age, height, weight, and training time. The Tai Chi group performed Tai Chi (eight methods and five steps) exercises for nine weeks. Practice sessions were scheduled for every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, each lasting 50 min. The blank group did not perform any exercises. After nine weeks, the athletes in both groups underwent testing for the one-legged stance with eyes closed, Y-balance test (YBT) score, and plantar pressure. Results: After the experiment, the one-legged stance with eyes closed of the Tai Chi group was 151.36 ± 48.77 s. The scores of the left and right sides of the YBT were 101.84 ± 5.97 and 100.59 ± 5.66, which were significantly higher than 80.33 ± 31.52 s, 96.12 ± 7.33, and 97.64 ± 8.12 in the pre-experimental period. In the results of the plantar pressure test, when the athletes stood with both feet and eyes closed, the EA was 23.46 ± 6.86 mm2, Delta X was 7.64 ± 1.03 mm, and Delta Y was 5.88 ± 0.75 mm, which were significantly different from those in the blank group (55.64 ± 7.98 mm2, 12.21 ± 1.27 mm, and 8.97 ± 50.86 mm) (p < 0.05); when they stood with both feet and eyes open, the EA was 27.64 ± 6.73 mm2, and Delta X was 7.31 ± 0.56 mm, which were significantly different from those in the blank group (40.66 ± 5.84 mm2 and 9.87 ± 0.84 mm. Conclusion: Practicing Tai Chi (eight methods and five steps) can extend the duration of standing with eyes closed, improve YBT scores, and reduce EA, Delta X, and Delta Y values, thus enhancing athletes’ body balance control.
References
2. Chen, L. Z., Yuan, X., Zhang, Y., Zhang, S., Zou, L. et al. (2020). Brain functional specialization is enhanced among Tai Chi Chuan practitioners. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 101(7), 1176–1182.
3. Pan, H., Pei, Y., Li, B., Wang, Y., Liu, J. et al. (2018). Tai Chi Chuan in postsurgical non-small cell lung cancer patients: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials, 19(1), 2.
4. Yao, L. Q., Tan, J. Y. B., Turner, C.,Wang, T. (2021). Feasibility and potential effects of tai chi for the fatigue-sleep disturbance-depression symptom cluster in patients with breast cancer: Protocol of a preliminary randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open, 11(8), e048115.
5. Saglam, M., Uge, B., Yagli, N. V., Inal-Ince, D., Ulu, H. S. et al. (2019). The effects of weighted exercise training on lean body weight, balance and functional capacity in individuals with cystic fibrosis: A pilot study. Turkish Thoracic Journal, 20, 416.
6. Altinkök, M., Şeran, B., Kurnaz, M., Demir, B. (2021). Investigation of static and dynamic balance capacity of 5-9 year-old children in gymnastics education. The International Scientific Journal of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, 11(14), 129–132.
7. Andreu-Caravaca, L., Ramos-Campo, D. J., Chung, C., Rubio-Arias, J. A. (2021). Dosage and effectiveness of aerobic training on cardiorespiratory fitness, functional capacity, balance, and fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 102(9), 1826–1839.
8. Nilgün, M. E. S. C. (2018). Association of ultrasonographic measurements of upper arm and thigh muscle thickness with functional capacity and balance in elderly individuals. Turk Geriatri Dergisi, 21(2), 217–226.
9. Kang, T. W., Kim, B. R. (2019). The effects of stretching and strengthening exercise on the pain, pelvic tilt, functional disability index, and balance ability of patients with chronic lower back pain. The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy, 31(1), 7–12.
10. Jing, C., Li, K., Li, Z., Sun, Y., Wu, J. et al. (2021). Tai Chi postural training for dyskinesia rehabilitation: A study protocol for a randomised controlled trial in convalescent ischaemic stroke patients. BMJ Open, 11(5), 1–10.
11. Yeh, G. Y., Litrownik, D.,Wayne, P. M., Beach, D., Nieva, H. R. et al. (2020). BEAMstudy (Breathing, Education, Awareness, Movement): A randomised controlled feasibility trial of tai chi exercise in patients with COPD. BMJ Open Respiratory Research, 7(1), 1–12.
12. Liu, L., Petrich, S., McLaren, B., Kelly, L., Baxter, G. D. (2018). An integrative Tai Chi program for patients with breast cancer undergoing cancer therapy: Study protocol for a randomized controlled feasibility study. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 16(2), 99–105.
13. Lavretsky, H., Siddartth, P., Grzend, A. (2022). Inflammatory markers of geriatric depression response to Tai Chi or health education interventions. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 106, 16–17.
14. Li, G., Huang, P., Cui, S. S., Tan, Y. Y., He, Y. C. et al. (2022). Mechanisms of motor symptom improvement by long-term Tai Chi training in Parkinson’s disease patients. Translational Neurodegeneration, 11(1), 1–10.
15. Haris, A., Jubair, J., Julhana, J. (2021). Glucose reducing effects of a physical regimen combining putu sila and tai chi in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the public health center of bima. International Research Journal of Engineering IT & Scientific Research, 7(2), 63–70.
16. Koerniawan, D., Suwarno, M. L., Adyatmaka, I. (2021). Comparison of blood pressure and pulse measurements to Tai Chi exercise in hypertensive patients in East Jakarta. First International Conference on Health, Social Sciences and Technology (ICOHSST 2020), pp. 104–108. Palembang, Indonesia.
17. Song, Y., Li, J., István, B., Xuan, R., Wei, S. et al. (2021). Current evidence on traditional chinese exercises for quality of life in patients with essential hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 7, 1–13.
18. Li, W., Weng, L., Xiang, Q., Fan, T. (2021). Trends in research on traditional chinese health exercises for improving cognitive function: A bibliometric analysis of the literature from 2001 to 2020. Frontiers in Public Health, 9, 1–11.
19. Yu, A. P., Tam, B. T., Lai, C. W., Yu, D. S., Woo, J. et al. (2018). Revealing the neural mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of Tai Chi: A neuroimaging perspective. American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 46(2), 231–259.
20. Cai, Y., Liu, X., Zhao, A., Mao, H., Guo, X. et al. (2022). Effects of Tai Chi on health outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences, 9(2), 108–120.
21. Gao, S., Kaudimba, K. K., Cai, J., Tong, Y., Tian, Q. et al. (2021). A mobile phone app-based Tai Chi training in Parkinson’s Disease: Protocol for a randomized controlled study. Frontiers in Neurology, 11, 1–9.
22. Kang, N., Wang, Y., Chen, G., Guo, C., Zhang, Z. et al. (2022). Functional outcomes of Tai Chi exercise prescription in women with knee osteoarthritis. Sports Medicine and Health Science, 4(4), 239–244.
23. Worthen-Chaudhari, L., Quatman-Yates, C., Mysiw,W. J., Costa-Giomi, E., Chaudhari, A. (2021). 129 Immediate effect of argentine tango practice on persistent symptoms and postural control deficits associated with concussion. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 55(Suppl 1), A52.
24. Christian, K. M., Moran, M. F. (2021). Upper quarter y-balance test in collegiate softball players: Bilateral arm comparison and influence of reach order. International Journal of Athletic Therapy & Training, 26(5), 257–261.
25. Wang, M., Lou, S.,Wang, G., Jing, X., Xiong, Y. (2021). Effects of Tai Chi Chuan on functional capacity, anxiety, and sleep quality in older adults: 703. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 53(8S), 238.
26. Chan, S., Chan, W. C., Ng, S. M., Yu, C. H. A. (2020). Mindfulness meditation and tai chi chuan on sleep disturbance in chinese older people: A randomized controlled trial. Innovation in Aging, 4(Suppl 1), 188–189.
27. Si, Y.,Wang, C., Yin, H., Zheng, J., Guo, Y. et al. (2020). Tai Chi Chuan for subjective sleep quality: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2020(1), 1–19.
28. Cetin, S. Y., Calik, B. B., Ayan, A. (2020). AB1307-HPR investigation of the effectiveness of Tai Chi exercise program on cardiopulmonary functions and quality of life in patients with systemic sclerosis. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 79(Suppl 1), 1944.
29. Seo, T. H., Kim, E. H., Jeong, Y. W. (2020). Effects of blood flow restriction exercise on the alacrity and balanced capacity of female university students in their 20s for health-care increase. Journal of the Korea Entertainment Industry Association, 14, 333–340.
30. Cuğ, M., Wikstrom, E. (2018). 4-weeks Dynamic Balance training fails to improve ankle and knee joint position
sense. Cumhuriyet Medical Journal, 40(3), 257–264.
Copyright (c) 2023 authors
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright on all articles published in this journal is retained by the author(s), while the author(s) grant the publisher as the original publisher to publish the article.
Articles published in this journal are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International, which means they can be shared, adapted and distributed provided that the original published version is cited.
Submit a Paper
