TAI-CHI PRACTICE IMPROVES SENIOR-CITIZENS BALANCE AND ARM MOVEMENT CONTROL

Empirical evidence from this study supports the hypothesis that Tai Ch i practice can improve senior citizens' dynamic balance control and ra pid-aiming arm movement performance. Of 38 senior citizens,28 (M = 78. 8 years, SD = 2.1) chose to practice the 24-form simplified Tai Chi. T he remaining 10 seniors (M = 79.2 years, SD = 1.9) selected a locomoto r activity (walking or jogging). Dynamic balance tests and ballistic-a iming arm movements were conducted for all participants at the beginni ng, middle (4th week), and end of the 8-week exercise program. The Tai Chi participants improved their time on balance more than did their c ounterparts who performed locomotor activities. In addition, Tai Chi p ractice improved arm movement smoothness to a greater extent than the locomotor activities. However, no changes in arm movement speed were o bserved in either group. The results suggest that Tai Chi practice may help senior citizens improve dynamic balance control and gain smoothn ess in rapid-aiming arm movements.