Honors Program Theses

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Open Access Honors Program Thesis

First Advisor

HyeYoung Cho

Abstract

Falls are a major issue for older adults. Intrinsic factors explain the preventable causes of falls and affect gait patterns. The variability of step length and velocity is strongly associated with fall risk and relates to intrinsic factors. Tai Chi is effective in reducing fall risk and impacts both intrinsic factors and gait variables. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of an 8-week, bi-weekly Tai Chi intervention on step velocity and length variability in older adults. Seventeen older adults participated in the Tai Chi intervention program, and gait data was collected as participants walked at their preferred speed across a 16-ft Zeno walkway pre- and post-intervention. No statistically significant changes were observed in step length variability from pre- (3.04 cm) to post-intervention (2.82 cm) or in step velocity variability from pre- (6.90 cm/s) to post-intervention (6.66 cm/s). Although it was not statistically significant, there was a trend of reduction in step length variability, which may suggest potential clinical relevance in relation to fall risk. While an 8-week Tai Chi intervention is not seen to produce a significant change, longer studies with larger sample sizes are needed to determine the extent of the impact of Tai Chi intervention on gait variability.

Year of Submission

2025

Department

Department of Kinesiology

University Honors Designation

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the designation University Honors

Date Original

2025

Object Description

1 PDF file (24 pages)

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

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Available for download on Wednesday, February 03, 2027

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