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Characteristics of Foot Movement in Tai Chi Exercise

DW Mao is a PhD candidate, Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, and Professor, Shandong Institute of Physical Education and Sports, Jinan, Shandong, China
Y Hong, PhD, is Professor, Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
JX Li, PhD, is Assistant Professor, School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

(youlianhong{at}cuhk.edu.hk). Address all correspondence to Dr Hong

Background and Purpose. The concept of proper foot movement is always emphasized in practicing Tai Chi (TC). The purposes of this study were to describe the foot movement characteristics of TC and to compare duration of single- and double-limb support time during TC and during walking.

Subjects. Sixteen experienced TC practitioners participated in the study.

Methods. The participants’ performance of a whole set of 42-form TC movements was recorded with 2 cameras. A motion analysis system was used to identify the supporting and stepping characteristics of the foot during the practice.

Results. Seven foot support patterns and 6 step directions were identified. The results revealed that, compared with normal walking, TC movement had more double-limb support and less single-limb support in terms of total duration. The duration of each support pattern was longer, and movement from one pattern to the next was slow. The duration of each step direction was short, and changes of direction were frequent.

Discussion and Conclusion. Support patterns changed slowly, and, combined with various step directions, they were found to be better than those of walking in simulating the gait challenges that may be encountered in daily activities.

Key Words: Balance control • Gait • Muscle strength • Step direction • Support pattern • Tai Chi