Tai Chi exercises with multi-parameter balance feedback enhance recovery in athletes after orthopedic injuries: A case study

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the impact of a Tai Chi exercise regimen on the dynamic balance and kinematic parameters of a taekwondo athlete with functional instability of the tibiofemoral joint. Methods: The Tai Chi training program, comprising eight techniques and five steps, was introduced during the late rehabilitation phase for a taekwondo athlete recovering from a tibiofemoral joint injury. This program aimed to restore the athlete's body balance by incorporating Tai Chi exercises tailored to the biomechanical movement patterns specific to Taekwondo. The athlete's balance was assessed using the BTrackS electronic balance assessment platform, which enables the evaluation of body balance in various positions, including standing on different legs. It also allows for the assessment of the stability of different body parts, including various segments of the body axis. This approach is particularly appropriate for taekwondo athletes, who frequently shift from one leg to another during fights and must maintain balance in various positions, such as on one leg, on both legs, and in a bent position. Results: The late stage of rehabilitation spanned nine weeks, during which the principles of Tai Chi, encompassing eight movements and five steps, were implemented. This led to considerable improvements across all balance parameters assessed using the BTS electronic platform, including weight distribution, sensory integration, body stability limits, neck challenges, center of gravity shifts, and single-leg standing test scores. The research findings demonstrate that a carefully selected combination of Tai Chi exercises can enhance athletes' balance control, making it a valuable addition to routine training programs. Conclusion: The Tai Chi exercise program, combined with multiparametric balance feedback, serves as an effective alternative therapy for promoting balance recovery after orthopedic injuries or blunt traumatic brain injuries.