| Author: | Fong, Siu-ming Shirley |
| Title: | The effects on lower limb muscle reflex, proprioception and balance with short-term and long-term Tai Chi training |
| Degree: | M.Sc. |
| Year: | 2005 |
| Subject: | Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations Tai Chi Proprioception Muscular sense Exercise -- Physiological aspects |
| Department: | Department of Rehabilitation Sciences |
| Pages: | xiii, 114 leaves : ill. (some col.) ; 30 cm |
| Language: | English |
| Abstract: | The aim of the study is to investigate the effect on sensorimotor performance and balance with Tai Chi (TC) training. The findings will help to explain the physiological action of TC in balance training. Sixteen subjects with about three months of TC training and 16 subjects with one to three years of TC training and 16 age matched normal healthy subjects were tested using a cross-sectional study design. Subjects were tested for (1) medial hamstrings and gastrocnemius muscle reflex contraction latencies (reaction time) following a sudden postero-anterior (PA) perturbation to the trunk, (2) active knee joint angle repositioning and (3) time to maintain in a stable position on a tilt board. One-way ANCOVA was used with a set at 0.05. Significant results were further analyzed with post hoc linear contrasts. Long-term TC practitioners had significantly faster hamstrings reaction time (35.4+-16.57ms, p<0.0005), faster gastrocnemius reaction time (56.1+-62.60ms, p=0.014) and longer balance time on a tilt board (7.8+-3.97seconds, p<0.0005) than short-term TC practitioners and non-practitioners. Both long and short-term TC practitioners had significantly less knee joint angle repositioning error than non-practitioners (3.4o+-1.67o, p<0.0005 and 4.4o+-2.06o, p=0.009 respectively). This study demonstrated that one to three years of TC practice has beneficial effects of shortening the hamstrings and gastrocnemius reaction time in response to trunk perturbation, improving knee joint position sense and standing balance on a tilt board. Three months of TC practice can improve the knee joint position sense but not sufficient to improve the overall dynamic standing balance on a tilt board. The improvements in muscle reaction time and joint position sense may explain the improvement in standing balance. It is concluded that TC is a suitable exercise for the elderly to improve balance and sensorimotor performance if practiced for enough duration. |
| Rights: | All rights reserved |
| Access: | restricted access |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| b18182264.pdf | For All Users (off-campus access for PolyU Staff & Students only) | 4.45 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
Copyright Undertaking
As a bona fide Library user, I declare that:
- I will abide by the rules and legal ordinances governing copyright regarding the use of the Database.
- I will use the Database for the purpose of my research or private study only and not for circulation or further reproduction or any other purpose.
- I agree to indemnify and hold the University harmless from and against any loss, damage, cost, liability or expenses arising from copyright infringement or unauthorized usage.
By downloading any item(s) listed above, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the copyright undertaking as stated above, and agree to be bound by all of its terms.
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
https://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/4373