Could Long-term Exercise Improve the Obstacle-crossing Ability of Elderly Women? Effects of Tai Chi and Aerobic Dance Exercises

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of long-term exercises (TaiChi (TC), aerobic dance) on the obstacle-crossing ability of elderly women, as well as to identify whether the exercise could considerably improve stability. Forty-five elderly women include TC, aerobic dance and no exercising groups participated in our study. They walked a short distance to cross the obstacle (30% of leg length). Results showed that long-term exercise had a positive effect on muscle strength and the practitioners used an obstacle-crossing strategy that increasing the force in medial–lateral and anterior-posterior directions of the trailing foot to cross obstacle. The TC strategy was better than aerobic dance in improving balance and increasing the height of the leg during obstacle-crossing.