Author: Liu W1, Kovaleski JE2, Kepple TM3, Wolfe J2, Decoux B4, McCarthy JP5, Singh J6, Lewis CE7
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>1 Division of Osteopathic Rehabilitation and Biomechaincs, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine , Auburn, AL.
<sup>2</sup>2 Department of Health, Kinesiology and Sport, University of South Alabama , Mobile, AL.
<sup>3</sup>3 C-Motion Inc , Germantown, MD.
<sup>4</sup>4 School of Kinesiology, Auburn University , Auburn, AL.
<sup>5</sup>5 Department of Human Movement Sciences. Carroll University , Waukesha, WI.
<sup>6</sup>6 Division of Rheumatology, University of Alabama Birmingham , Birmingham, AL.
<sup>7</sup>7 Division of Preventive Medicine, University of Alabama Birmingham , Birmingham, AL.
Conference/Journal: J Altern Complement Med.
Date published: 2016 Jun 27
Other:
Word Count: 189
INTRODUCTION: T'ai chi chuan is a beneficial exercise of improving health and function. Biomechanical insights of t'ai chi chuan are less understood.
OBJECTIVES: To study t'ai chi gait (TCG), a common form of t'ai chi chuan in order to quantify external knee adduction moment (EKAM) as a key indicator of mechanical loading of the medial compartment of the knee compared with normal walking (NW).
DESIGN: A quantitative biomechanics approach to determine peak EKAM for NW and TCG.
RESULTS: There were a tri-modal pattern of EKAM during TCG and a bimodal pattern of EKAM during normal walking. In addition, subsequent analysis showed a 25%-47% reduction in peak EKAM during double support phases of TCG compared with NW; the peak EKAM of TCG during single-limb support phase showed significantly higher magnitude than the other two double-support phases.
CONCLUSION: These results indicate that t'ai chi chuan might be a beneficial intervention for reducing the medial mechanical load at the knee joint, particularly during the first double-support phases of TCG, but the special consideration of higher peak EKAM of single-limb support phase is needed during regular t'ai chi chuan practice.
PMID: 27347603 DOI: 10.1089/acm.2014.0174