Clinical Interventions in Aging · Jun 26, 2026

Long-Term Tai Chi Practice Modulates Cortical-Muscular Interactions During Walking in Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

By Zhang Y, Song Q, Li X et al.

PURPOSE: The possible effects of Tai Chi exercise on neural coordination during walking in older adults remain unclear. This study aimed to compare cortical functional connectivity (FC) and corticomuscular coupling (CMC) during walking among older Tai Chi practitioners, older brisk walkers, and non-exercise controls. METHODS: A total of 62 participants were recruited in this study, including older Tai Chi practitioners (n=20), older brisk walkers (n=22), and non-exercise controls (n=20). Participants performed a walking test during which data were collected. The FC was measured using cortical oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO₂) concentration via a functional near-infrared spectroscopy device, and CMC was calculated between HbO₂ signals and surface electromyography signals. RESULTS: The Tai Chi practitioners showed greater FC in right primary motor cortex-left supplementary motor area (rM1-lSMA, p=0.006, d=1.081), right primary motor cortex-right supplementary motor area (rM1-rSMA, p=0.003, d=1.318), right primary motor cortex-left primary somatosensory cortex (rM1-lS1, p=0.002, d=1.150), and rM1-rS1 (p=0.011, d=1.015) compared with the non-exercise controls, and greater FC in rM1-rS1 (p=0.015, d=0.856) compared with the brisk walkers. In addition, the Tai Chi practitioners demonstrated greater CMC in the left tibialis anterior-right supplementary motor area (lTA-rSMA, p=0.015, d=0.991), lTA-rS1 (p=0.006, d=1.096), lMG-rSMA (p=0.002, d=1.118), right medial gastrocnemius-right supplementary motor area (rMG-rSMA, p=0.015, d=0.962), and rMG-rS1 (p=0.017, d=0.939) compared to the non-exercise controls. CONCLUSION: Older Tai Chi practitioners exhibited greater functional connectivity and corticomuscular coupling, which may contribute to improved postural control and reduced fall risk in older adults.

doi.org/10.2147/cia.s615470Open accessPubMed 42382279Populations