Biomechanics of Tai Chi

A Preliminary Investigation

Betty Zhao MS 1, Michael Hsueh 1, Jenssy Rojina 1, Emel Demircan MS 2, Blase Iuliano MSPT 1, Jessica Rose PhD 1,3 1 Motion & Gait Analysis Laboratory, Lucile Packard Children Hospital, s 2 Department of Computer Science, Stanford University 3 Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine INTRODUCTION Tai chi is an ancient Chinese martial art and exercise enjoyed by millions of people around the world. Tai chi involves slow, gentle movements as training exercises that can be transformed into the extremely fast, powerful movements of the martial art through a unique combination of muscle force, subtle weight shift and high accelerations. The purpose of this investigation is to examine the biomechanics of the fast form of tai chi using 3D motion capture and force plate data. This case study reports rotational biomechanics of Tai Chi Master Chen Xiang, who visited the Motion & Gait Analysis Lab in April, 2007. Master Chen is the most accomplished disciple of Feng Zhiqiang, an 18th-generation grandmaster of Chen style tai chi who is regarded by many as the greatest living tai chi master. This session was reported in a widely read San Jose Mercury News article [Wykes, S.L Stanford researchers record 'optimal force' of tai chi master." May 3, 2007]. The slow and fast forms of Tai Chi share a foundation based on breathe and movement during an action. In the fast version, tai chi movements have similar fluidity and joint angles as in the slow exercise, but also contain rapid releases of energy known as jin. fa The method behind a tai chi strike is traditionally explained by the concept of qiand the balance of energiesnot readily understood by today scientists. Still to an average s observer, these releases are amazing to watch and display an athletic feat that cannot be described as only brute force. The strike of a tai chi master involves an extremely potent transfer of energy and is believed to be as deadly as a punch from a champion boxer, if not more. Specific Aims The specific aims of this initial study are: 1. Determine the essential biomechanical elements of the fast tai chi strike. 1. Determine the biomechanical and energetic factors that contribute to the high impact forces of a tai chi master's deadly strikes. 1. Determine how a tai chi master takes advantage of Newton's Laws of Physics.

HYPOTHESES Three essential elements of the tai chi master strike are hypothesized. s 1) Impulse: Master Chen may impart a change in momentum (I) to an object in a very short amount of time. Decreasing the time of contact with an external object increases the force applied. I (mv) F m dv I dt t

2) Angular to linear translation: Immediately before impact, Master Chen pivots toward his target starting from his lower body. The rotation translates the angular momentum of his legs and torso into the linear momentum of his striking hand. 2) High floor reaction force and torque: Master Chen generates a substantial floor reaction force and torque which may serve to augment the force generated by the strike. METHODS Figure 1, Motion capture stick figure with resultant floor reaction force. A total of 33 markers were placed on the body to record movement. Using a three-dimensional (3-D) motion capture system (Motion Analysis Corporation, Santa Rosa, CA), 33 light reflective were used to record the joint motion and position during the tai chi strike. Motion capture data was record at 240 frames/second. A force plate embedded in the floor (Bertec Corporation, Columbus, OH) recorded kinetic data at 2000 Hz. RESULTS Figure 2. Master Chen begins slightly crouched with his left arm extended (A). During the strike (B), there is a progression of rotation of the feet, hips and shoulders as the striking right hand accelerates forward and opposing left arm accelerates backwards creating spiral power.After peak excursion of the striking right arm, the master s frame immediately relaxes (C) which minimizes strike impact time. A B C

Figure 3. Kinematic data show the sequence of events during release begins with maximum angular velocity of the left or back foot, followed by maximum angular velocity of the pelvis, right or leading foot and shoulders. The spiral powergenerated is ultimately translated into linear velocity of the right leading hand. Right foot force plate impact exactly coincides with peak linear velocity of the right (striking) hand.

Sequence of Angular and Linear Velocities During Master's Strike

16 14
Angular velocity (radians per second)

Left foot angular velocity Right foot angular velocity Pelvis angular velocity Shoulder angular velocity Hand linear velocity

20 16 12 8 4 0 -4

12 10 8 6 4 2 0 -2 0 -4
Time (seconds)

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

0.3

Figure 4. Kinetic force plate data shows the high maximum floor reaction force of 2300 N (500 lbs) and maximum torque of 11,000 Nm was exerted by the rapid rotational and linear velocity of the torso and striking hand. Both floor reaction force and torque immediately decrease after peak right hand velocity.

Floor Reaction Force and Torque During Master's Strike

3000
Floor reaction force Torque

12000 8000 4000 0 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 -4000 -8000 -12000
Time (seconds)
Torque (Nm)

2000
Floor reaction force (N)

1000 0 -1000 -2000 -3000

Linear velocity (meters per second)

Figure 5. Right arm excursion data shows the duration of peak extension (distance between right hand and shoulder) was ~25 milliseconds. Relaxation occurred immediately following peak excursion. This short time of peak extension suggests that momentum is transferred over a short time period and thus potentially generates greater applied forces by creating an intense burst of impulse.

Hand Excursion: Distance Between Right Shoulder and Right Hand During Master's Strike

0.6

Time of maximum extension suggests short contact time Relaxation of striking arm
0.5
Distance (m)

0.4

0.3 0 0.1
Tim e (seconds)

0.2

0.3

CONCLUSIONS In this case study, the kinematics and kinetics of a tai chi master strike were analyzed s using motion capture and force plate data. Three main hypotheses were formed and analysis of the strike suggests three essential biomechanical components: The method of impact resembles a burst of momentum change that is optimal for applying an impulse to the target which will result in minimal force dissipation and high impact force. The tai chi master rapidly accelerates his hand toward the target and immediately relaxes his frame after 25 milliseconds at peak right arm excursion. The translation of angular momentum from the feet, pelvis and shoulders into linear momentum of the leading hand occurs at peak right hand linear velocity. The opposing left arm moves back as the right leading arm moves forward, contributing to shoulder torque. This spiral powermay be important to generating additional momentum at the time of impact. A floor reaction force of 2300 N and torque of 11,000 Nm coincide with the peak right hand velocity that is assumed to occur at impact. Since the peak floor reaction force and torque most likely happen at impact, the Master may push and pivot off the ground in order to transfer momentum to his target. This technique requires a high degree of precision in timing one weight transfer with hand extension. s

This preliminary study suggests that the tai chi master strike is a sequence of s concentrated energy transfers that require multiple methods of biomechanical advantage. It is important to note for this study that the tai chi master did not hit an object during the recording session. Master Chen is returning in April 2008 for another recording session during which he will be able to strike a punching bag and record the strike force. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We wish to thank Master Chen Xiang, Erin Butler, Michael Dorgan, John Hubner and Martin Lee for their valuable assistance with this research.

12000 8000 4000 0 0.3

Torque (Nm)