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THE IMPACT OF TAI CHI ON MOBILITY,
STRENGTH, BALANCE AND FLEXIBILITY
ON THE ELDERLY
Poster
NG Pok Yu
BSc (Hons) in Nutrition and Healthcare Management
Department of Food and Health Sciences
OBJECTIVES RESEARCH BACKGROUND
• Evaluate improvements in mobility As the global population ages, the need for effective interventions to maintain
and flexibility following Tai Chi and improve the physical health of the elderly becomes increasingly important.
intervention, alongside assessing Tai Chi is a traditional Chinese martial art that is known for its soft movements
changes in muscle strength and and meditative aspects. This study aims to investigate the impact of Tai Chi on
balance. physical function in elderly people, focusing on mobility, strength, balance, and
• Mobility refers to the ability to flexibility. By exploring these aspects, the research aims to provide insights into
move freely and easily, while
flexibility encompasses the range effective interventions for improving physical function and reducing fall risk in
of motion available in the joints. this demographic.
Muscle strength is the maximum
force that a muscle can exert METHODOLOGY
against resistance, and balance is The study is conducted at a community centre owned by Windshield Charitable
the ability to maintain stability over
the body's base of support. This Foundation Social Services. A total of 30 elderly individuals aged 65 and above
research will provide insights into is recruited for this study. This study conducts two health seminars with on-site
how short-term Tai Chi intervention demonstration on Tai Chi exercise over 3 weeks and distribute videos of Tai
can enhance these crucial physical Chi exercises by professional Tai Chi Master for participants to practice on their
capabilities among the elderly. own. The aim is to understand the impact of regular Tai Chi participation on the
balance, flexibility, strength, and agility of older adults. Participants undergoes
a series of assessments and questionnaires before the first and last activities.
The data are analyzed by comparing differences in fitness ability before and
ABOUT THE INVESTIGATOR after the intervention.
I am a dedicated student specializing in FINDINGS
nutrition and healthcare management.
My interests lie in promoting healthy Lower body strength, as measured by the chair stand test, saw an increase in
lifestyles and improving community the mean number of repetitions from 13.0 to 14.7. Mobility also improved, with
wellness. I aspire to develop effective the mean time to complete the 8-Foot Up and Go test decreasing from 7.63
nutrition programs that empower seconds to 6.57 seconds. Balance showed a slight improvement, indicated by
individuals to make informed an increase in the mean time on the Single Leg Stand test from 4.58 seconds
choices, ultimately enhancing public to 4.73 seconds. However, the intervention had minimal impact on flexibility, as
health outcomes and addressing the mean score on the Chair Sit and Reach test only increased from 4.65 cm to
dietary challenges within diverse 4.66 cm. The data suggests that the Tai Chi intervention had a positive impact
populations. My FYP supervisor is Ms on strength, mobility, and balance in the elderly participants.
YIP Wing Man, Florence.
53 Student Applied Research Presentations 2025 Student Applied Research Presentations 2025
