Physics

Mathematics

Structural engineering

Distribution (mathematics)

Engineering

Mathematical analysis

Gait

Joint (building)

Physical therapy

Moment (physics)

Medicine

Classical mechanics

Physical medicine and rehabilitation

Alternative & Integrative Medicine

Background: As an alternative and complementary practice, Tai Chi is becoming increasingly popular in the null United States, especially among the elderly. Although several interventional and qualitative biomechanical studies null have been performed, a quantitative approach, such as multi-joints kinetics synergy of ankle, knee and hip, has yet null to be performed. To better understand the biomechanics of Tai Chi, the characteristics of the total support moment null synergy were studied during Tai Chi gait and compared to normal gait.Methods: Ten healthy, experienced (two years) Tai Chi Chuan practitioners performed normal walking and Tai null Chi gait while data was collected using high-speed infrared motion analysis cameras. The joint distributions of the null ankle, knee, and hip were calculated by ratio between individual joint moment impulse and total support moment null impulse. Using a paired t-test, the joint moment distributions of the lower limb were compared between Tai Chi gait null and normal walking.Results: The total support moment of Tai Chi walking was predominated by the contribution of the knee (ankle: null 32.78 ± 1.25%; knee: 58.68 ± 1.84%; hip: 8.54 ± 1.91%) whereas the ankle was the primary contributor to support in null normal walking (ankle: 67.86 ± 2.76%; knee: 26.18 ± 2.69%; hip: 5.96 ± 1.83%). The contributions of all three jointsstudied differed significantly (p<0.05) between Tai Chi gait and normal gait.Conclusion: This study demonstrates different kinetics synergy patterns between Tai Chi gait and normal gait. null Importantly, Tai Chi gait places a high mechanical demand on the knee joint. Our results provide biomechanical null basis of Tai Chi’s benefits on increasing knee joint range of motion and muscle strength, also suggest that null prescribing Tai Chi as a potential therapy for people with joint disease, it needs a careful consideration of evaluating null mechanical response of people with joint disease during Tai Chi exercise due to higher mechanical demand on the null knee joint.

The Joint Moment Distribution of the Lower Extremity During Tai Chi Gait