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Postural Responses to Sudden Horizontal Perturbations in Tai Chi Practitioners

Author

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  • Jernej Sever

    (Center Premik, Ltd., Center for Psychophysical Development, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

  • Jan Babič

    (Laboratory for Neuromechanics and Biorobotics, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

  • Žiga Kozinc

    (Andrej Marusic Institute, Department of Health Study, University of Primorska, 6000 Koper, Slovenia
    Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, 6310 Izola, Slovenia)

  • Nejc Šarabon

    (Andrej Marusic Institute, Department of Health Study, University of Primorska, 6000 Koper, Slovenia
    Human Health Department, InnoRenew CoE, 6310 Izola, Slovenia
    Laboratory for Motor Control and Motor Behavior, S2P, Science to Practice, Ltd., 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

Abstract

Tai Chi has been shown to elicit numerous positive effects on health and well-being. In this study, we examined reactive postural control after sudden unloading horizontal perturbations, which resembled situations encountered during Tai Chi. The study involved 20 participants, 10 in the Tai Chi group (age: 37.4 ± 7.8 years), who had been regularly training the push-hand technique for at least 7 years, and 10 in the control group, consisting of healthy adults (age: 28.8 ± 5.0). Perturbations were applied at three different positions (hips, shoulders, and arms) via the load-release paradigm. Twenty measurements were carried out for each perturbation position. We measured peak vertical and horizontal forces on the ground (expressed percentage of body mass (%BM)), peak center of pressure displacement and peak horizontal and vertical velocities at the knee, hip and shoulder joints. The Tai Chi group exhibited smaller increases in vertical ground reaction forces when perturbations were applied at the hips (11.5 ± 2.1 vs. 19.6 ± 5.5 %BW; p = 0.002) and the arms (14.1 ± 4.2 vs. 23.2 ± 8.4 %BW; p = 0.005). They also responded with higher horizontal force increase after hip perturbation (16.2 ± 3.2 vs. 13.1 ± 2.5 %BW; p < 0.001). Similar findings were found when observing various outcomes related to velocities of vertical movement. The Tai Chi group also showed lower speeds of backward movement of the knee ( p = 0.005–0.009) after hip (0.49 ± 0.13 vs. 0.85 ± 0.14 m/s; p = 0.005) and arm perturbations (0.97 ± 0.18 vs. 1.71 ± 0.29 m/s; p = 0.005). Center of pressure displacements were similar between groups. Our study demonstrated that engaging in Tai Chi could be beneficial to reactive postural responses after sudden perturbations in a horizontal direction; however, future interventional studies are needed to directly confirm this. Moreover, because of the age difference between the groups, some confounding effects of age cannot be ruled out.

Suggested Citation

  • Jernej Sever & Jan Babič & Žiga Kozinc & Nejc Šarabon, 2021. "Postural Responses to Sudden Horizontal Perturbations in Tai Chi Practitioners," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-12, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:5:p:2692-:d:512335
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yan Yang & Xiang-Yuan Li & Li Gong & Yun-Liang Zhu & Yan-Lei Hao, 2014. "Tai Chi for Improvement of Motor Function, Balance and Gait in Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(7), pages 1-9, July.
    2. Jun-Hong Yan & Wan-Jie Gu & Jian Sun & Wen-Xiao Zhang & Bao-Wei Li & Lei Pan, 2013. "Efficacy of Tai Chi on Pain, Stiffness and Function in Patients with Osteoarthritis: A Meta-Analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(4), pages 1-9, April.
    3. Jun-Hong Yan & Yong-Zhong Guo & Hong-Mei Yao & Lei Pan, 2013. "Effects of Tai Chi in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Preliminary Evidence," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(4), pages 1-8, April.
    4. Xiaojia Ni & Shaonan Liu & Fuchang Lu & Xiaogeng Shi & Xinfeng Guo, 2014. "Efficacy and Safety of Tai Chi for Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(6), pages 1-11, June.
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