TAI CHI WALK COMPARED TO EVERDAY WALK

TAI CHI WALKING LINK

THERE IS WALKING AND THEN THERE IS TAI CHI WALKING WHERE THE USE OF ABDOMINAL AND BACK MUSCLES IS PRIMARY. BOTH ARE EXPLAINED BELOW:

"TAI CHI INTERNAL WALK uses core power(internal energy)instead of leg power(external energy). This video teaches how to walk this way and its benefits."

"EXTERNAL" OR EVERYDAY WALKING AND THE OBVIOUS QUESTION:

Are the abdominal muscles active during normal walking?

"It may be surprising, but electromyographic (EMG) analysis of the abdominal muscles has demonstrated that the abdominal muscles are quite inactive during walking on a flat surface" (Sheffield & Major, 1962

SEE THIS LINK FOR INFORMATION ON ALL REFERENCES CITED IN THIS POST

https://www.unm.edu/~lkra.../Article%20folder/abdominal.html).

"EMG analysis is the scientific method of measuring the muscle’s electrical activity and contractility during movement, very similar to the way an electrocardiogram (ECG) measures heart rhythm. The rectus abdominis and external oblique muscles exhibit little electrical activity in an erect posture unless the trunk is inclined backward or laterally and/or resistance is applied to the torso (Walters & Partridge, 1957). The internal obliques, on the other hand, are in a state of tension while sitting, standing, and walking, to help stabilize the pelvis" (Floyd & Silver, 1950; Walters & Partridge, 1957).