Effect of Tai Chi on gait and obstacle crossing behaviors in middle-aged adults

METHODS & RESULTS: Kinematic analyses performed on step-to-step gait characteristics over multiple steps revealed that TC practitioners used a more cautious strategy by using slower gait speeds and shorter and slower steps than controls. TC practitioners also spent significantly longer time in single leg support while crossing the obstacle. The deleterious effect of this typically risky behavior may be mitigated in TC practitioners because of their comfort with single leg stance due to continual practice in this posture.