THE TEMPOROSPATIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF TWO TYPICAL TAI CHI MOVEMENTS

The purpose of this study was to examine and compare the three-dimensional centre of mass (COM) displacement and temporospatial features during performance of two typical Tai Chi movements, “Repulse Monkey (RM)” and “Wave-hand in Cloud (WHIC)”, with forward walking. A group of experienced male Tai Chi practitioners (n=15) between the ages of 65 to 75, participated in the study. It was found that stride width was larger for WHIC compared to walking while double-support time was longer for RM; both Tai Chi movements spent less time in single-support. RM and WHIC had larger mediolateral and vertical displacement of the COM compared to walking. The slow, gentle-shifting characteristics of two Tai Chi movements have unique biomechanical properties that may result in special training to postural control capacity.