The Surface Electromyographic Characteristics of Different Practice Methods of Chen-Style Tai Chi Lanzhayi Movement
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69665/iss.v48i1.128Keywords:
chen-style tai chi, lanzhayi, sEMG, RMS, iEMG, health promotionAbstract
This study examined the surface electromyographic characteristics of the Chen-style Tai Chi Lanzhayi movement across different practice methods to clarify its neuromuscular demands and inform scientific training. Nine experienced practitioners completed slow practice, rapid power practice, practical combat practice, and a 60-s standing exercise. Surface electromyographic signals from 16 muscles and synchronised video data were collected using a MEGWIN 6000 16-channel telemetry system. Root mean square (RMS) amplitude and integrated electromyography (iEMG) were analysed. Stage 3 of the three dynamic conditions was compared using repeated-measures analysis of variance, and activation sequence was examined descriptively in one expert participant. In stages 1 and 2, the left and right tibialis anterior muscles showed the highest RMS and iEMG values. In stage 3, RMS differed significantly among conditions and increased from slow practice to rapid power practice and practical combat practice, whereas total iEMG did not differ significantly. In the expert-case analysis, activation sequence varied across practice methods and did not follow a fixed foot-leg-waist-hand order. During the standing exercise, left-leg iEMG exceeded right-leg iEMG, whereas right-arm iEMG exceeded left-arm iEMG. Practice method influenced muscle activation intensity and coordination during Lanzhayi. Training that more closely approximates practical combat may be useful for developing combat-specific performance. The traditional principle that power begins in the feet, passes through the legs, is controlled by the waist, and manifests in the hands may guide whole-body coordination, but should not be interpreted as a fixed sequence of muscle activation. The observed left-right asymmetries require confirmation in larger samples.
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