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. 2022 Jul 19:14:935986.
doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.935986. eCollection 2022.

Wheelchair Tai Chi Ball Exercise for Improving Neuromuscular Functions of Older Adults With Disability

Ting Liao  1 , Xiong-Wen Ke  2   3 , Yong Tai Wang  3
Affiliations

Wheelchair Tai Chi Ball Exercise for Improving Neuromuscular Functions of Older Adults With Disability

Ting Liao et al. Front Aging Neurosci. .

Abstract

The purposes of this perspective article were to summarize Wheelchair or Seated Tai Chi studies related to neuromuscular functions of older adults with disability; to describe the development of Wheelchair Tai Chi Ball (WTCB) exercise - a concept to combine mind-body exercise with strength training; and to propose a new Telehealth WTCB exercise for improving neuromuscular functions of old adults with spinal cord injury (SCI) and disability. With reference to neuromuscular functions, WTC intervention may have positive effects on simple reaction time, range of motion at the shoulder and trunk, static and dynamic sitting balance, handgrip strength, vagal activity, and sympathetic activity among older adults with disability. The developed WTCB intervention is a feasible and safe exercise which combines the mind-body exercise and strength conditioning into one exercise which possesses aerobic, stretching and strength trainings and may facilitate neuromuscular functions of older adults with disability. The proposed Telehealth WTCB 12 forms (TWTCB12) exercise with a "Moving Shadow" method in the telehealth may enable the learner to superimpose learner's image on an expert's demonstrating model to enhance the learning and practice effects. Since wheelchair users will learn and practice TWTCB12 movements in a seated position or sitting on a wheelchair the "Moving shadow" method on Zoom would provide an ideal telehealth learning and practice environment for the wheelchair users to learn and practice TWTCB12 exercise from home more feasible and user friendly.

Keywords: Wheelchair Tai Chi ball; disability; mind-body exercise; neuromuscular functions; older adults; strength training.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
(A) Tai Chi Ball is combined with poly-magnets. (B) Tai Chi Ball is separated by twisting it.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Medical Research Council (MRC) framework for TWTCB12 intervention in four phases for improvement of neuromuscular functions for older adults with disability modified conceptual framework based on the model of Craig et al. (2013).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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