Tai Chi and feeling free and falling

Tai Chi,  another form of exercise, is  not only great for flexibility and strength but also for improving balance and has been shown to help prevent falls. A recent study looked at adults aged 65 or more and it showed that those that practiced Tai Chi reported higher degrees of confidence, better balance and the ability to carry on with life activities.

The positive effects of tai chi included lower extremity strength and flexibility, changes in proprioception (joint position sense)  which has been seen to improve even in patients with peripheral neuropathy, and reductions in anxiety or fear of falling, which itself is a risk factor for falls.

American Public Health Association (APHA) 141st Annual Meeting: Abstracts 279776, 282712, 289749. Presented November 3, 2013.