The Effects of Tai Chi Chuan Versus Core Stability Training on Lower-Limb Neuromuscular Function in Aging Individuals with Non-Specific Chronic Lower Back Pain.


Author: Zou L1, Zhang Y2, Liu Y3, Tian X4, Xiao T5, Liu X6, Yeung AS7, Liu J8, Wang X9, Yang Q10

Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>Lifestyle (Mind-Body Movement) Research Center, College of Sports Science, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China. liyezou123@gmail.com.

<sup>2</sup>Health and Exercise Science Laboratory, Institute of Sports Science, Seoul National University, Seuoul 08826, Korea. elite_zhangyj@163.com.

<sup>3</sup>Department of Kinesiology and Program in Neuroscience, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA. YL82@indiana.edu.

<sup>4</sup>Department of Physical Education, Qiannan Normal University for Nationalities, Guizhou 558000, China. tianxiaopei1986@163.com.

<sup>5</sup>College of Mathematics and Statistics, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China. taoxiao@szu.edu.cn.

<sup>6</sup>College of Chinese Martial Arts, Beijing Sports University, Beijing 100084, China. liuxiaolei99@hotmail.com.

<sup>7</sup>Depression Clinical and Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA. ayeung@mgh.harvard.edu.

<sup>8</sup>Department of Martial Arts, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China. liujing@sus.edu.cn.

<sup>9</sup>Department of Sport Rehabilitation, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China. qiang897@163.com.

<sup>10</sup>Department of Martial Arts, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China. 1610104006@student.sus.edu.cn.
Conference/Journal: Medicina (Kaunas).
Date published: 2019 Mar 3
Other:
 Volume ID: 55   ,  Issue ID: 3   ,  Special Notes: doi: 10.3390/medicina55030060.   ,  Word Count: 258  
    Objectives: For this paper, we aimed to investigate the effects of Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) versus the Core Stability Training (CST) program on neuromuscular function (NF) in the lower extremities among aging individuals who suffered from non-specific chronic lower back pain (NLBP). Regarding the design, during a 12-week intervention, a single-blinded randomized controlled trial was used to compare two intervention groups with a control group on the parameters of NF. Methods: Forty-three Chinese community-dwellers were randomly assigned into two intervention groups (three sessions per week, with each session lasting 60 min in TCC and CST) and a control group. The patient-based Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to measure the level of perceived pain, while parameters of NF as primary outcomes were measured by the Biodex System 3 Isokinetic Dynamometer. Results: For the knee joint, we observed significant differences in the endurance of left extension at a speed of 60°/s: (1) between TCC and control groups (p < 0.01); (2) between CST and control groups (p < 0.01). For the ankle joint, significant differences between CST and control groups were observed on the peak torque of left dorsiflexion (p < 0.05) and the endurance of the left plantar flexion at a speed of 60°/s (p < 0.05). In addition, we observed a significant difference between TCC and control groups in the endurance of the right plantar flexion (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Chen-style TCC and CST were found to have protective effects on NF in aging individuals with NLBP, while alleviating non-specific chronic pain.



KEYWORDS: Tai Chi; exercise; lower back pain; muscular strength; neuromuscular function



PMID: 30832454  DOI: 10.3390/medicina55030060