Characteristics of foot movement in Tai Chi exercise.
OBJECTIVE
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.


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Mao
De Wei
DW
Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong.
Hong
Youlian
Y
Li
Jing Xian
JX
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology*; D005684:Gait; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D026302:Tai Ji / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D014743:Videotape Recording; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology