Wei Liu1, John E Kovaleski2, Thomas M Kepple3, Jonathan Wolfe2, Brandi Decoux4, John P McCarthy5, Jasvinder Singh6, Cora E Lewis7. 1. 1 Division of Osteopathic Rehabilitation and Biomechaincs, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine , Auburn, AL. 2. 2 Department of Health, Kinesiology and Sport, University of South Alabama , Mobile, AL. 3. 3 C-Motion Inc , Germantown, MD. 4. 4 School of Kinesiology, Auburn University , Auburn, AL. 5. 5 Department of Human Movement Sciences. Carroll University , Waukesha, WI. 6. 6 Division of Rheumatology, University of Alabama Birmingham , Birmingham, AL. 7. 7 Division of Preventive Medicine, University of Alabama Birmingham , Birmingham, AL.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: T'ai chi chuan is a beneficial exercise of improving health and function. Biomechanical insights of t'ai chi chuan are less understood. OBJECTIVES: To study t'ai chi gait (TCG), a common form of t'ai chi chuan in order to quantify external knee adduction moment (EKAM) as a key indicator of mechanical loading of the medial compartment of the knee compared with normal walking (NW). DESIGN: A quantitative biomechanics approach to determine peak EKAM for NW and TCG. RESULTS: There were a tri-modal pattern of EKAM during TCG and a bimodal pattern of EKAM during normal walking. In addition, subsequent analysis showed a 25%-47% reduction in peak EKAM during double support phases of TCG compared with NW; the peak EKAM of TCG during single-limb support phase showed significantly higher magnitude than the other two double-support phases. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that t'ai chi chuan might be a beneficial intervention for reducing the medial mechanical load at the knee joint, particularly during the first double-support phases of TCG, but the special consideration of higher peak EKAM of single-limb support phase is needed during regular t'ai chi chuan practice.
INTRODUCTION: T'ai chi chuan is a beneficial exercise of improving health and function. Biomechanical insights of t'ai chi chuan are less understood. OBJECTIVES: To study t'ai chi gait (TCG), a common form of t'ai chi chuan in order to quantify external knee adduction moment (EKAM) as a key indicator of mechanical loading of the medial compartment of the knee compared with normal walking (NW). DESIGN: A quantitative biomechanics approach to determine peak EKAM for NW and TCG. RESULTS: There were a tri-modal pattern of EKAM during TCG and a bimodal pattern of EKAM during normal walking. In addition, subsequent analysis showed a 25%-47% reduction in peak EKAM during double support phases of TCG compared with NW; the peak EKAM of TCG during single-limb support phase showed significantly higher magnitude than the other two double-support phases. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that t'ai chi chuan might be a beneficial intervention for reducing the medial mechanical load at the knee joint, particularly during the first double-support phases of TCG, but the special consideration of higher peak EKAM of single-limb support phase is needed during regular t'ai chi chuan practice.
Entities:
Keywords:
external knee adduction moment; gait; knee; loading; t'ai chi