Gait, posture and transfer assessment among elderly practitioners and non-practitioners of Tai Chi Chuan

Abstract

Falls may be devastating events among elderly people. Tai Chi Chuan is a type of moderate sports exercise that demonstrates improvements in balance, gait and posture. The aim here was to assess the influence of this method on the balance, gait and posture of healthy active elderly people. A controlled cross-sectional study was conducted on 76 volunteers, divided into two groups: 51 volunteers Tai Chi Chuan group mean age 76.8 years and 25 volunteers control group mean age 70.3 years. Both groups underwent the Modified Clinical Test on Sensory Interaction for Balance (mCTSIB), Walking Test (WT), Sit-to-Stand Transfer Test (SSTT) and Unipedal Assessment Test (UT), using the Neurocom Balance Master system. Result: In conditions Static balance tests: the mCTSIB-Tai-Chi Group had a lower sway velocity (°/s) on a firm surface with eyes open and medio-lateral direction, Foam Surface with eyes open medio-lateral and anteroposterior direction. Unilateral Stance Tai-Chi Group had a lower mean sway velocity (°/s) with open eyes (right and left), but with eyes closed. The Control Group showed a lower sway velocity. Under Dynamic Balance: Walk Across Test Tai-Chi Group presented a walking speed greater than the Control Group. In Sit to Stand Transfer Test, Tai-Chi Group showed a better index rising to lift up and lower oscillation in the final standing position. Conclusion: The Tai Chi Group was shown to be a protection factor for preserving and maintaining the static and dynamic positions of posture and gait.