title: Plantar pressure distribution during Tai Chi exercise.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe and quantify the plantar pressure distribution characteristics during Tai Chi exercise and to explain the beneficial effect of Tai Chi on balance control and muscle strength when compared with normal walking.
  
  
  METHODS
  Description and within-subject design.
  
  
  METHODS
  A biomechanics laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen experienced Tai Chi practitioners.
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pressure-time integral, ground reaction force, and displacement of center of pressure (COP).
  
  
  RESULTS
  During Tai Chi movements, the loading of the first metatarsal head and the great toe were significantly greater than in other regions (P<.05). The ground reaction forces varied between the Tai Chi movements and normal walking. Compared with normal walking, the locations of the COP in the Tai Chi movements were significantly more medial and posterior at initial contact (P<.05), and were significantly more medial and anterior at the end of contact with the ground (P<.05). The displacements of the COP were significantly wider (P<.05) in the mediolateral direction in the forward, backward, and sideways Tai Chi movements. The displacement was significantly larger (P<.05) in the anteroposterior direction in the forward movement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The plantar pressure characteristics of Tai Chi movements found in this study may be one of the important factors that Tai Chi exercise improves balance control and muscle strength.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: De Wei
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.forename: Jing Xian
authors.initials: JX
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Youlian
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011312:Pressure; D026302:Tai Ji; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology