Effects of different periods of Tai Chi exercise on the kinesthesia of the lower limb joints of elderly women

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of different periods of Tai Chi exercise on knee and ankle joint kinesthesia. A total of 20 Tai Chi practitioners and 19 controls completed the final test. Customized devices were used to measure the kinesthesia of the knee and ankle joints at the start, after 24 weeks and after 48 weeks of the intervention. Results showed that the 24-week Tai Chi intervention considerably improved the kinesthesia of the knee flexion and extension and ankle dorsiflexion. The 48-week Tai Chi intervention improved the kinesthesia towards knee flexion and extension, ankle dorsiflexion and plantar flexion. Moreover, the 48-week Tai Chi intervention had better kinesthesia towards knee extension and ankle dorsiflexion compared with the 24-week Tai Chi intervention. Our results suggest that long-term (48 weeks versus 24 weeks) Tai Chi exercise benefits the knee and ankle kinesthesia of elderly women.

Keywords: Tai Chi; ankle; elderly women; knee; proprioception.