Author: Sun W1, Zhang C1, Song Q1, Li W1, Cong Y1, Chang S2, Mao D3, Hong Y2
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>a Sports Biomechanics Lab , Shandong Sports Science Research Center , 8th building, 3008, Fengming Road, Jinan , 250002 , Shandong , China.
<sup>2</sup>b Department of Sports Medicine , Chengdu Sports University , 2 Ti Yu Road, Wu Hou District, Chengdu , China.
<sup>3</sup>c Shandong Sport University , 10600, Shiji Road, Jinan , 250002 , Shandong , China.
Conference/Journal: Res Sports Med.
Date published: 2016 Apr-Jun
Other:
Volume ID: 24 , Issue ID: 2 , Pages: 145-56 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1080/15438627.2015.1126280. Epub 2016 May 10. , Word Count: 157
This study assessed the effect of 1-year regular Tai Chi (TC) on neuromuscular reaction in elderly women. A total of 41 elderly women (55 years-68 years) completed the study. The TC group (n = 21) performed the 24-form TC, while the control group (C, n = 20) was instructed to read newspapers or watch television when the TC group practised. Electromyogram measurements were conducted before and after intervention. After a year-long intervention, the post-test results of between-group neuromuscular reaction time showed significant differences in the rectus femoris (t = 3.607, p = 0.001), semitendinosus (t = 2.678, p = 0.011), anterior tibialis (t = 3.455, p = 0.001), and gastrocnemius muscles (t = 4.061, p = 0.000). Within-group results showed that the TC group had significantly shorter neuromuscular reaction time compared to its baseline value in the rectus femoris (t = 3.066, p = 0.006), semitendinosus (t = 2.485, p = 0.022), anterior tibialis (t = 2.311, p = 0.032), and gastrocnemius muscles (t = 2.462, p = 0.023). Results suggested that year-long regular TC can improve neuromuscular reaction function in elderly women.
KEYWORDS: Tai Chi; elderly women; neuromuscular reaction
PMID: 27161956 [PubMed - in process]