Effects of a 16-week Tai Chi intervention on cutaneous sensitivity and proprioception among older adults with and without sensory loss
Department
School of Data Science and Analytics
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-1-2021
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of a 16-week Tai Chi (TC) intervention on cutaneous sensitivity and proprioception among older adults with and without sensory loss. Thirty-six older adults were divided into sensory loss and control groups, and they underwent a 16-week TC intervention. Significant interactions were detected in heel cutaneous sensitivity ( = 0.046, = 4.419) and knee flexion ( = 0.043, = 4.580), extension ( = 0.027, = 5.529) and ankle plantar-flexion proprioception ( = 0.037, = 4.860). The post hoc test indicated that in the sensory loss group, heel cutaneous sensitivity threshold ( = 0.034) and knee flexion ( = 0.004), extension ( = 0.002) and ankle plantar-flexion ( = 0.023) proprioception threshold decreased at week 17, whereas in the control group, knee flexion ( = 0.029) proprioception threshold decreased at week 17. TC intervention improved cutaneous sensitivity at more sites and proprioception in more joints among the older adults with sensory loss. TC intervention is a good option for older adults to exercise, and it is more effective among older adults with sensory loss.
Journal Title
Research in sports medicine (Print)
Volume
29
Issue
4
First Page
406
Last Page
416
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.1080/15438627.2021.1906673