THE COMPARISON OF GAIT CHARACTERISTICS BETWEEN OLDER TAI-CHI CHUAN PRACTITIONERS AND NON PRACTITIONERS

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Tai-Chi Chuan (TCC) is a traditional Chinese exercise, which recently has become popular in the western world. The reported benefits of TCC exercise, include increased lower extremity muscle strength, improved balance, improved cardiopulmonary function, and improved overall wellness (Koh T.C., 1981). However, up to the present time, there have been no studies that have proven the effects of TCC exercise on walking performance. The purpose of this study is to determine whether or not TCC exercise has a beneficial effect on the normal speed of walking in older adults.