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- Title
Foot Forces Induced Through Tai Chi Push-Hand Exercises.
- Authors
Shiu Hong Wong; Tianjian Ji; Youlian Hong; Siu Lun Fok; Lin Wang
- Abstract
The low impact forces of Tai Chi push-hand exercises may be particularly suited for older people and for those with arthritis; however, the biomechanics of push-hand exercises have not previously been reported. This paper examines the ground reaction forces (GRFs) and plantar force distributions during Tai Chi push-hand exercises in a stationary stance with and without an opponent. Ten male Tai Chi practitioners participated in the study. The GRFs of each foot were measured in three perpendicular directions using two force plates (Kistler). The plantar force distribution of each foot was measured concurrently using an insole sensor system (Novel). The results showed that the average maximum vertical GRF of each foot was not more than 88% ± 6.1% of the body weight and the sum of the vertical forces (103% ± 1.4%) generated by the two feet approximately equals the body weight at any one time. The horizontal GRFs generated by the two feet were in the opposite directions and the measured mean peak values were not more than 12% ± 2.8% and 17% ± 4.3% of the body weight in the medio-lateral and antero-posterior directions respectively. Among the nine plantar areas, the toes sustained the greatest plantar force. This study indicates that push-hand exercises generate lower vertical forces than those induced by walking, bouncing, jumping and Tai Chi gait, and that the greatest plantar force is located in the toe area, which may have an important application in balance training particularly for older adults.
- Subjects
HONG Kong (China); FOOT physiology; BIOMECHANICS; BODY weight; RESEARCH funding; STATURE; TAI chi; U-statistics; VIDEO recording; DESCRIPTIVE statistics
- Publication
Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 2013, Vol 29, Issue 4, p395
- ISSN
1065-8483
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1123/jab.29.4.395