title: Effects of Ving Tsun Chinese Martial Art Training on Upper Extremity Muscle Strength and Eye-Hand Coordination in Community-Dwelling Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Pilot Study.
abstract: Objectives. To evaluate the effects of Ving Tsun (VT) martial art training on the upper extremity muscle strength and eye-hand coordination of middle-aged and older adults. Methods. This study used a nonequivalent pretest-posttest control group design. Forty-two community-dwelling healthy adults participated in the study; 24 (mean age ± SD = 68.5 ± 6.7 years) underwent VT training for 4 weeks (a supervised VT session twice a week, plus daily home practice), and 18 (mean age ± SD = 72.0 ± 6.7 years) received no VT training and acted as controls. Shoulder and elbow isometric muscle strength and eye-hand coordination were evaluated using the Lafayette Manual Muscle Test System and a computerized finger-pointing test, respectively. Results. Elbow extensor peak force increased by 13.9% (P = 0.007) in the VT group and the time to reach peak force decreased (9.9%) differentially in the VT group compared to the control group (P = 0.033). For the eye-hand coordination assessment outcomes, reaction time increased by 2.9% in the VT group and decreased by 5.3% in the control group (P = 0.002). Conclusions. Four weeks of VT training could improve elbow extensor isometric peak force and the time to reach peak force but not eye-hand coordination in community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Human Performance, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong; School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Shirley S M
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-6410-7606
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Fong
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Shamay S M
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.affiliation: Institute of Human Performance, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong; School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Yoyo T Y
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Janet Y H
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-3000-4577
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Esther Y T
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Institute of Human Performance, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong; School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong; Faculty of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Institute of Education, Tai Po, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Gary C C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.affiliation: Elderly Core Business, Hong Kong Christian Service, Tsimshatsui, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Yvonne T C
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Chak
authors.affiliation: Bliss District Elderly Community Centre, Active Ageing Service, Hong Kong Christian Service, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Ivy K Y
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Institute of Human Performance, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Joni
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Human Performance, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Duncan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Macfarlane
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Physical Education, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Louisa M Y
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-4072-951X
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Chung