By: Sheila Crowley
Murray County News Staffwriter
Tai Ji Quan: Moving for better balance is a research-based balance training regimen designed for older adults at risk of fall and people with balance disorders.
Michele Steffl, Aging Services – A.C.E. of Southwest Mn along with Naomi Samuelson began a class last spring. Their final class for the 2017 year was December 1. Approximately 15 took part in the balance training over the past few months.
Tai Ji Quan is a novel and unique approach that represents a paradigm shift from traditional and contemporary application of Tai Ji Quan to health promotion and therapeutically tailored training for balance and postural control.
Tai Ji Quan addresses a number of important fall risk factors by improving leg strength, balance, coordination, postural control, mobility, and reducing fear of falling. The movements have proven to be effective in contributing improvement in balance deficits and fall risks via randomized controlled trials with older adults. The movements aid in improving lower limb muscular strength, sensory integration, limits of stability, and global congnitive function.
In addition, studies have demonstrated that Tai Ji Quan can have positive effects on a number of chronic conditions. For example, improving bone density, cardio-pulmonary outcomes, physical functioning, psychological symptoms, quality of life, and immune system functioning.
Margaret Kluis has been a part of the class since the end of May. She says the exercises have definitely helped to strengthen her core.”The movements have been very helpful in helping to keep my balance,” she continued. Margaret spends a lot of time in her basement sewing – which often times requires several trips up and down the steps. “I found sometimes it’s easier to ‘monkey’ up and down them,” she commented. This is a movement learned during the class. In fact Margaret has enjoyed the class so much that she only missed two Tuesdays throughout the learning experience.
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