Study finds Tai Chi practitioners have better stability and overall body awareness

Conducted by researchers in the Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden, this study investigated stability limits, single-leg jumping, and body awareness in older Tai Chi practitioners. Set at the University-based rehabilitation center, participants included 24 Tai Chi practitioners and 20 healthy control subjects.

"Measures included the following: (1) subjects' intentional weight shifting to 8 different spatial positions within their base of support using the limits of stability test, (2) the ability to leave the floor in single-leg jumping and to maintain balance on landing using force platform measurements, and (3) body awareness and movement behaviors using the Body Awareness Scale-Health (BAS-H)."  

The findings showed that Tai Chi practitioners had a significantly better ability to lean further without losing stability and better directional control. They were also better able to jump off the floor; better able to maintain a longer single-leg stance after landing; and had better overall body awareness. Abstract: PubMed. Article by Gyllensten AL, Hui-Chan CW, Tsang WW,"Stability Limits, Single-Leg Jump, and Body Awareness in Older Tai Chi Practitioners," Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation [2010 Feb;91(2):215-220]   Photo by Diana bella.