BIOMECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF FOOT MOVEMENT DURING A SET OF TAI CHI CHUAN EXERCISE

Jing Xian Li¹, Youlian Hong¹, Dewei Mao¹, Dongqing Xu¹ and Kai Min Chan².

¹Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, ²Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N. T. Hong Kong.

A set of the 42-form Tai Chi Chuan movements performed by a TCC master were studied using 3-D video filming and Pedar insole pressure measurement. The results showed that TCC exercise is full with the transform of foot positions among the single leg support, single leg support with the opposite leg semi support and double leg support in three dimensions and is full with the transform of different weight bearing patterns associated with the open and closed kinetic chain movement. There was the highest pressure in the hallux area during the single leg support phases, suggesting the training effects of TCC on hallus' muscle.