Effects of Tai Chi Chuan and Brisk Walking Exercise on Balance Ability in Elderly Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.


Author: Sun W1,2, Ma X1,3, Wang L1, Zhang C1,2, Song Q2, Gu H2, Mao D1,4

Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>1 Shanghai University of Sport.

<sup>2</sup>2 Shandong Institute of Sport Science.

<sup>3</sup>3 Handan University.

<sup>4</sup>4 Shandong Sport University.
Conference/Journal: Motor Control.
Date published: 2018 Jul 15
Other:
 Volume ID: 1-15   ,  Special Notes: doi: 10.1123/mc.2017-0055. [Epub ahead of print]   ,  Word Count: 157  
    This study aims to investigate the effects of Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) and brisk walking (BW) on balance and training duration for the two exercises to significantly improve balance. A total of 48 elderly women were randomly divided into three groups. The TCC and BW groups completed a 60-min intervention training program with five sessions weekly for 16 weeks. Single-leg standing balance was tested every 4 weeks. Results showed that all the variables with eyes open improved on the eighth week (p < .05) in the TCC group and on the 12th week (p < .01) in the BW group. All variables with eyes closed improved on the 12th week (p < .01) in the TCC group and on the 16th week (p < .05) in the BW group. The results showed that 12 and 16 weeks of TCC and BW, respectively were essential to improve balance with eyes closed among the women aged 60-70 years.



KEYWORDS: aging; balance control; fall; intervention



PMID: 30008242  DOI: 10.1123/mc.2017-0055