本研究以19名從事太極拳運動（打拳年數14.22±7.27年，一週平均5.50±1.50天，一天平均1.44±0.62時）的中老年人為太極拳組(平均年齡58.57±7.41歲，平均身高164.18±4.25公分，平均體重65.83±9.93公斤)，並且以19名不運動的同齡健康中老年人為不運動組（平均年齡55.41±5.87歲，平均身高165.05±5.44公平，平均體重65.13±11.04公斤），進行橫向式研究，對彼等施以開眼單足立、閉眼單足立、閉眼走直線等平衡能力的測量，以瞭解太極拳在增進中老年人平衡能力方面的影響。兩組受試者的差異以獨立樣本t-test檢驗其顯著性。結果發現：（一）太極拳受試者的開眼單足立平衡能力明顯優於不運動的同齡健康中老年人不運動組（p<.05）；（二）太極拳組受試者的閉眼單足立平衡能力亦明顯優於不運動的同齡健康中老年人不運動組(p<.05)（三）太極拳組受試者的閉眼走直線平衡能力與不運動的同齡健康中老年人不運動組並無明顯差異（p>.05），本研究結果顯示太極拳運動對於中老年人靜態的開、閉眼單足立平衡能力具有增強的作用，但無法顯示動態的閉眼走直線平衡能力具有促進的效果。

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of long-term Tai Chi exercise on balance in the old population. Methods: Nineteen healthy old people (mean age 58.57±7.41 years, mean height 164.18±4.25 cm, mean weight 65.83±9.92 kg) who practiced Tai chi were recruited as the Tai Chi group. They had practiced Tai Chi for 14.22±7.27 years, about 5.50±1.50 days per week, 1.44±0.62 hours a day . Nineteen sedentary subjects matched for age and body size (mean age 55.41±5.87 years, mean height 165.05±5.44 cm, mean weight 65.13±11.04 kg) were recruited as the control group. Data were collected on the 10 meter walk in a straight line test, one-leg standing balance with eyes opened and eyes closed (OLSB), for both groups. An independent t test was used to compare the differences between the two groups. RESULTS: Static balance ability differed significantly between the two groups (p<.05). OLSB of the Tai Chi group was significantly better than those of the control group. For the 10 meter walk in a straight line test, no significant difference was found between the two groups (p>.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study only confirm that Tai Chi can be a good choice of exercise to improve static balance for the elderly people.

太極拳; 中老年人; 平衡能力

Tai Chi; Balance; Elderly people