Mediolateral sway in single-leg stance is the best discriminator of balance performance for Tai-Chi practitioners

Objectives: To identify a balance measure that can best distinguish Tai-Chi from non-Tai-Chi practitioners and to examine whether longer Tai-Chi practice results in better balance control. Design: Cross-sectional comparative study. Setting: Community. Participants: Nineteen Tai-Chi practitioners (who practiced Tai Chi for 30-45min at least 3/wk for >1y) and 19 healthy subjects with regular exercise habits (who practiced Tai Chi for 30-45min at least 3/wk for >1y). Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: Scores on 2 clinical tests (functional reach, gait) and 1 laboratory test (postural sway). Results: Tai-Chi practitioners had better clinical test scores for functional reach, gait speed, stride length, and sway parameters during single-leg stance (P<.05). Sway in mediolateral direction during single-leg stance was the balance performance variable that best discriminated the Tai-Chi group from non Tai-Chi group. More experience practicing Tai Chi was associated with better balance performance. Conclusions: Tai-Chi practitioners performed better both in clinical and laboratory tests when compared with subjects who did not practice Tai Chi. More Tai-Chi experience was associated with better postural control.