Age-related Effects On Center Of Pressure Before And After Tai Chi Intervention In Older Adults

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between age and the root mean square of the center of pressure in mediolateral (CoP-RMSml) direction among older adults before and after 16 weeks of Tai Chi practice. METHODS: Forty-two older adults (aged 60-90 years) participated in a 16-week Tai Chi intervention, with four 1-hour sessions each week. At weeks 0 and 17, participants stood on a force platform (KISTLER, 9287 B A, Bern, Switzerland) in an upright posture, with feet together and arms at their sides, while data were collected at 1000 Hz for 60 seconds to calculate CoP-RMSml. Each test was repeated three times, and the mean was used for analysis. Two second-order polynomial regression models were applied to analyze the relationship between age and CoP-RMSml pre and post the intervention. RESULTS: Forty-two participants completed the intervention (160.8 ± 7.5 cm, 64.5 ± 8.3 kg, 72.5 ± 7.9 years). The second-order polynomial regression models for CoP-RMS ap values pre and post intervention are shown in Figure 1. The pre-intervention model's equation was y = -0.0004x2+ 0.1783x - 3.4285, with an R2 of 0.1584, indicating that we can explain 15.84% of variability in CoP-RMSml with age. The post-intervention model's equation was y = 0.0007x2 - 0.0613x + 7.6214, with an R2 of 0.047, indicating that we can explain 4.7% of the variability in CoP-RMSml with age. CONCLUSIONS: The observed trend suggests that Tai Chi may decrease CoP-RMSml in standing mediolateral sway more with older age. Future research with a larger sample size or longer intervention duration may be needed to improve postural control. Supported by: This research was funded by the General Administration of Sport of China [grant number 23QN009]; the National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number No.12102235]; the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province [grant number ZR2022MH163].