Effect of Tai Chi on Single-leg Balance in a Sedentary

Abstract

Objective: This study examines the effects of 16 weeks of taichi exercises on single-leg balance and attentional network in a sedentary population. The effect of the attention network factor in the improved balance ability was investigated. Methods: A randomized two-group parallel controlled trial. 43 sedentary people (23 tai chi group and 20 control group) participated in this study. Each subject was required to meet the criteria of sitting and lying down for an average of at least 7 hours per day for the past 1 month, with no exercise habits. Tai chi was used as the primary exercise intervention. The training was administered three times a week for 16 weeks. The control group would be required to submit the Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire weekly and ensure similar lifestyle habits as before. We measured subjects' dual-task single-leg balance using the Tecnobody-PK252 balance apparatus before and after 16 weeks, and their attentional ability using the attention network test. Results: Tai chi significantly improved dual-task single-leg balance and attention in the sedentary group (p < 0.05). There was a significant difference compared to the control group. A correlation was found between improved attentional ability and sway path scores. There was no significant difference in the control group before and after the experiment (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Tai chi can improve dual-task single-leg balance in sedentary people. Tai chi can improve the attentional network ability of sedentary people. Improvements in dual-task balance in the tai chi group correlated with improvements in the attentional network with Orienting and Executive control network.