Tai Chi Improves Knee Strength and Force Control in the Elderly

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09/02/2003

By Deanna M Green, PhD

 

Elderly patients practicing Taiji (Tai Chi) for 20 weeks experienced

significant improvements in knee extensor strength and force

control, according to a recent American study.

 

Older individuals have an increased risk of slipping, tripping and

falling, which can cause serious injury or death. The ancient

Chinese martial art Taiji, more commonly known as Tai Chi in the

United States, has been shown to improve balance, coordination, and

aerobic capacity, particularly in the elderly. Furthermore, studies

have determined that Taiji can decrease the frequency of falls in

the elderly and reduce their fear of falling.

 

Given its slow, gentle, non-aerobic movements, this form of exercise

may be an ideal therapeutic option for older persons.

 

Karl S. Rosengren, PhD, and colleagues at the University of Illinois

at Urbana-Champaign, United States, analysed the effects of Taiji

training on knee extensor strength and force control in healthy

elderly patients.

 

The study included 26 healthy individuals (average age 72 years

old), 16 of which received Taiji training for 20 weeks and 10 that

did not receive Taiji training and served as a control group. Knee

extensor strength was measured with an isokinetic dynamometer from

the maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVC). Force control was

determined from the variation of force during constant isometric

knee extension at 2%, 30%, 60%, and 90% MVC.

 

Overall, participants undergoing Taiji training showed increased

improvement in knee extensor strength and force control after 20

weeks. More specifically, a 20% higher MVC and a 19% lower variation

of force were observed in this group after training.

 

Further analysis revealed that the improvement in force control was

primarily due to decreases in the standard deviation of force and

not due to increases in strength. This result indicates that the

improvement in force control was independent of improvements in

strength.

 

Measurements of strength and force control did not differ between

tests in the control group, demonstrating a direct effect of Taiji

training on knee extensor strength and force control.

 

Dr. Rosengren concludes from this study that " older individuals can

become stronger and have a better force control with the knee

extensors following [Taiji] training. " He further suggests

that " intervention programs that use [Taiji] should be at least four

months long for individuals to achieve a moderate level of [Taiji]

skill. "

J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2003 Aug;58:8:M763-766. " Rapid

communication. Taiji training improves knee extensor strength and

force control in older adults "

 

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