Effects of Long-Term Tai Chi Practice on Balance and H-Reflex Characteristics

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of long-term Tai Chi practice on postural balance and H-reflex. Sixteen healthy volunteers, eight with three or more years of experience in Tai Chi training (Tai Chi Group-TCG), and eight with no experience in Tai Chi training (Control Group-CG) participated in the study. Postural sways were measured under four experimental conditions: (1) Standing still with eyes open (EO); (2) Standing still with eyes closed (EC); (3) Standing and turning head to left and right with eyes open (EOT); and (4) Standing and turning head to left and right with eyes closed (ECT). Paired reflex depression (PRD) of the soleus muscle was measured under two conditions: supine and standing. Less significant postural sway was observed in the TCG than in the CG under four conditions including EO, EC, EOT, and ECT (p < 0.01). The TCG demonstrated 14.1%, 30.6%, 33.3% and 22.7% less postural sway, respectively. Significant PRD change from a supine to standing position was observed between TCG and CG (p < 0.05). A significant correlation between PRD change (from supine to standing) and years of Tai Chi practice was observed (r = 0.80, p < 0.05). The findings of this study support the positive effects of Tai Chi exercise on balance control under different conditions. Long-term Tai Chi exercisers also demonstrated different reflex modulation from a supine to standing position, and long-term Tai Chi practice may lead to a change of PRD modulation as neuroadaptation.

The Effects of Tai Chi Practice With Asynchronous Music on Compliance and Fall-Related Risk Factors in Middle-Aged and Older Women: A Pilot Study

“…more people in this group had practiced Tai Chi before. This is consistent with other reports of longterm benefits of Tai Chi (Guan & Koceja, 2011).…”

“…It is characterized by slowness, gentleness, grace, and constant weight shifting (Mao, Hong, & Li, 2006). The effectiveness of Tai Chi practice on fall prevention has been documented by various studies; Tai Chi has shown positive effects on older adults' balance (Chen, Fu, Chan, & Tsang, 2012;Guan & Koceja, 2011;Guo et al, 2014), gait (Guan & Koceja, 2011), flexibility (Park & Song, 2013), fear of falls (Park & Song, 2013), and fall rates (F. Li, Harmer, Fisher, & McAuley, 2004). Thus, the CDC (2013) has recommended Tai Chi among a variety of exercises as an effective strategy for fall prevention in older adults.…”

Tai Chi Can Improve Postural Stability as Measured by Resistance to Perturbation Related to Upper Limb Movement among Healthy Older Adults

“…Therefore, it could improve strength, proprioception, psychological well-being, and balance [18–22]. In addition, many researches also demonstrated the effectiveness of TC in reducing the risk of falls for elderly people [19, 20]. For example, Guan and Koceja observed that the postural sway of the TC group was less significant than the control group during standing [19].…”

“…In addition, many researches also demonstrated the effectiveness of TC in reducing the risk of falls for elderly people [19, 20]. For example, Guan and Koceja observed that the postural sway of the TC group was less significant than the control group during standing [19]. For another example, Li and Manor indicated that TC exercise increased functional gait and leg strength performance among people with peripheral neuropathy [21].…”

Effects of homosynaptic depression on spectral properties of H-reflex recordings

“…Activation of sensory fibers can result from either a passive or an active movement as well as from externally applied mechanical or electrical stimuli (Hultborn et al 1996;Earles et al 2002aEarles et al , 2002b. The fact that the inhibitory effect of electrically induced HD is altered in clinical populations (Huang et al 2006) and appears amenable to training interventions (Guan and Koceja 2011;Hoseini et al 2011) provides an important clinical rationale for understanding and characterizing the mechanism and outcomes associated with HD.…”