The effects of Tai Chi and Fitness Walking on the static balance ability in women over the age of 70

Objective:To investigate the effects of Tai Chi and Fitness Walking on the static balance ability of the elderly women, in order to provide scientific guidance.Methods:The balance abilities of 146 elderly women over the age of 70 from a city were investigated.The elderly women were divided into the 70 to 79 years old group and equal to and more than 80 years old group according to their ages.The exercise ways included the Tai Chi, Fitness Walking and irregular movement.The measure index included the envelope area, and the trace length of postural sway and X and Y direction.Results:The balance ability in 70 to 79 years old group was better than that in equal to and more than 80 years old group(P<0.05 to P<0.01).The balance ability began to decreased with the increase of age, which did not be affected by exercise.The decreasing range regularity from large to small was the irregular movement, Fitness Walking and Tai Chi in turn.The irregular movement, Fitness Walking and Tai Chi could improve the balance ability in the same age elderly women(P<0.01), the effect of Tai Chi was better than that of Fitness Walking(P<0.05 to P<0.01).Conclusions:The static balance ability begin to decrease with the increase of age.The physical exercise can slow down the trend, and the exercise effect of Tai Chi is better.