Correlation between center of pressure and functional balance in non-faller elderly practitioners of Tai Chi Chuan

• Published in: Journal of Physical Therapy Science 2016, Vol.28(8), pp.2350-2352
• Main Authors: Gatica-Rojas, Valeska, Cartes-Velásquez, Ricardo, Salgado-Méndez, Rodrigo, Castro-Ramírez, Rodolfo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Center of pressure; Functional assessment; Older adults; Original
• ISSN: 0915-5287; 2187-5626
• DOI: 10.1589/jpts.28.2350

[Purpose] This study aimed to determine the correlation between center of pressure and functional balance in non-faller elderly practitioners of Tai Chi. [Subjects and Methods] For the study, nine non-faller elderly practitioners of Tai Chi who were able to maintain a standing posture and walk independently were recruited. Timed one-leg standing and timed up-and-go tests were used as functional balance tests and force platform to measure the center of pressure. The Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated for the timed up-and-go/timed one-leg standing test scores and center of pressure parameter values. [Results] None of the correlations was statistically significant, but moderate correlations were observed between the pairs timed one-leg standing/sway area of center of pressure, timed one-leg standing/standard deviation of center of pressure in the mediolateral direction, timed one-leg standing/mean velocity of center of pressure in the anteroposterior direction, and timed up-and-go test sway area of center of pressure. [Conclusion] Timed one-leg standing is more appropriate than timed up-and-go test for the measurement of functional balance in non-faller elderly practitioners of Tai Chi.