Tai Chi Effectively Improved Static Postural Control Among Adults Over 80

PURPOSE: Tai Chi proved effective in improving static postural control. However, it is unknown whether Tai Chi produced the same effects in younger or older old adult practitioners. This study investigated the effect of 16 weeks of Tai Chi practice on static postural control among older adults of different age groups. METHODS: Thirty-seven older adults participated in the study. Thirteen aged 60-69 in the younger-old group (YOG) (7 females, 65.6 ± 1.0 years, 163.8 ± 8.6 cm, 63.3 ± 10.1 kg), 11 aged 70-79 in the middle-old group (MOG) (7 females, 73 ± 3.4 years, 158.7 ± 10.8 cm, 62.1 ± 9.0 kg), and 13 aged 80-89 in the older-old group (OOG) (8 females, 85.4 ± 2.6 years, 155.3 ± 2.8 cm, 61.1 ± 6.3 kg) completed 16 weeks of Tai Chi practice for four sessions each week in the community. Postural sway was measured to assess static balance. Data from the force plate were collected at 1000 Hz and used to calculate the root mean square of the center of pressure in anteroposterior (CoP-RMSap) and mediolateral (CoP-RMSml) directions at weeks 0 (W0) and 17 (W17), respectively. Smaller CoP-RMS indicated better performance. Mixed-model two-way ANOVAs were used for data analyses. Cohen's d (d) values provided evidence of small (0.2), medium (0.5), and large (0.8) effect sizes. RESULTS: A significant interaction was detected for CoP-RMSml (p = 0.047, η2p = 0.169). The post-hoc tests indicated that its thresholds decreased from W0 to W17 only in OOG (W0:3.3 ± 0.1 mm, W17:2.9 ± 0.1 mm, p < .001, d = 4.0), while remained unchanged in YOG (W0:3.3 ± 0.1 mm, W17:3.2 ± 0.1 mm) and MOG (W0:3.2 ± 0.1 mm, W17:3.1 ± 0.1 mm). No group main effect was detected. CONCLUSIONS: Sixteen weeks of Tai Chi practice significantly increased static postural control among older adults. Tai Chi practice improved additional static postural control among older adults over 80 years than their younger counterparts. 2018YFC2000600