Previous studies have shown that Tai Chi is good for balance and joint sense. Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese exercise that involves slow, deliberate movements. It is easy on the joints and not physically demanding. This makes it a good exercise for older people. Joint sense and balance get worse with age, leading to falls, so an exercise that improves these qualities is important.
Golf is another sport that older people can enjoy. This study, done in Hong Kong, tested whether golf could improve joint sense, too. The authors studied balance and joint sense in the knee in four groups: men over age 60 who had practiced Tai Chi for at least three years; men over 60 who had golfed for at least three years; a control group of healthy men over 60 who did not do a regular activity; and university-age men.
As expected, the group of young university students had better joint sense and balance than any of the other groups. The control group had the worst joint sense and balance. The Tai Chi group had scores that were closer to the young people. And the golfers had scores nearly as good as the Tai Chi group.
The results are clear. Golf and Tai Chi are both excellent ways for older people to maintain good balance and joint sense.
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