title: Ground reaction force characteristics of Tai Chi push hand.
abstract: Push Hand is an advanced training technique for the Yang-style old frame 108 forms Tai Chi Chuan. It is performed by two practitioners. To clarify how people use forces during Push Hand training, it is important to review the ground reaction force (GRF). Here, we quantify the characteristics of the GRF during Push Hand training. Kinematic data and GRF data from 10 Tai Chi Chuan practitioners (29.9 ± 7.87 years) were synchronously recorded using a three-dimensional motion analysis system (200 frames · s(-1)) and three-dimensional force plates (1000 Hz). The resultant GRF for both feet for the 0%, 50% and 100% phases of attack and defence were compared to body weight using a paired-samples t-test. The differences in the resultant GRF between the 0%, 50% and 100% phases of attack and defence were tested by one-way repeated-measures ANOVA. The significance level was set to 0.05. The total resultant GRF was almost equal to the participant's body weight in push hand. This result was consistent throughout the entire push hand process. Our results revealed that the GRF was comparable to the body weight, implying that practitioners do not push or resist their opponents during the push hand process.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Physical Education , National Taiwan Normal University , Taipei , Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yao-Ting
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Jia-Hao
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Chen-Fu
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001835:Body Weight; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity; D008297:Male; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D009068:Movement; D053580:Muscle Strength; D026302:Tai Ji; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Tai Chi; bow-arrow stance; kinematic; martial art; ward off