Tai Chi exercise and ankle plantar flexion strength
January 3rd, 2012
Question :
Does tai chi exercise improve muscular strength?
Answer :
12 weeks of tai chi training improved ankle plantar flexion strength by close to 20%.
Summary :
Plantar flexion is the downward movement at the ankle joint as in pressing down on an automobile gas pedal.
In this study, Yang style tai chi was performed 1 hour per session, 3 times per week, for 12 weeks. There were twenty subjects, 14 in the training group and 6 in the control group. Maximal isometric plantarflexion muscle strength was measured at the soleus muscle.
Reference :
Effects of 12-week Tai Chi training on soleus H-reflex and muscle strength in older adults: a pilot study.
Eur J Appl Physiol. 2011 Sep 27.
