Article

OBJECTIVE: To compare the respective effects of 2 balance
training programs: a Tai Chi (TC) program and a balance training program on
static postural control and walking ability. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial.
SETTING: General community. PARTICIPANTS: Older subjects (N=28) participated in
the study. INTERVENTIONS: The TC group (n=14; mean age +/- SD, 76.8+/-5.1y) and
the balance training group (n=14; 77.0+/-4.5y) were both trained for 12 weeks.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Static postural control was assessed via measurement of
center of pressure sway under eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC) conditions.
Walking speed over a 10-meter course was also assessed. RESULTS: After the
12-week training period, there were no significant differences in walking speed
or postural parameters in either the EO or EC conditions for the TC and balance
training groups. Performance in the EC condition was lower than in the EO
condition in pretest and posttest for the balance training and TC groups. The
Romberg quotient (EO/EC ratio) was significantly higher after the balance
training program than the TC program (P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: We cannot conclude
that the balance training program has better effects than the TC program on
postural control or walking ability. None of the outcome measures showed
significant change posttraining in either the TC or the balance training groups.
However, the differences described in the Romberg quotient after the training
period between the TC and the balance training groups suggest that TC should be
helpful to limit the deleterious effects of eye closure on postural balance.
CI - Copyright (c) 2010 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS