Objectives: To evaluate the effects of a Ving Tsun (VT) reactive balance training programme on reactive balance control, muscle strength, balance confidence and falls in community-dwelling older adults.

Hypothesis: The VT group subjects will have improved post-training reactive balance control, muscle strength, balance confidence and fall incidence outcomes than the active controls.

Design and subjects: In this prospective, randomised, single-blinded controlled trial, approximately 114 healthy seniors (55-70 years old) will be randomly assigned to either the VT group (n~57) or control group (n~57). Interventions: Subjects in the VT group will receive VT reactive balance training (3 hours/week) for 3 months, whereas subjects in the control group will receive no VT training but will jog 3 hours/week during the intervention period.

Study instruments and outcomes: Primary outcome measures: reactive balance control, as indicated by lower extremity muscle activation onset latency; hip and ankle strategies and centre of pressure movements will be measured by electromyography, electrogoniometry and a force platform, respectively. Secondary outcome measures: knee muscle strength, balance confidence and fall history will be assessed by an isokinetic dynamometer, Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (Chinese) and interviews, respectively (pre-, post- and follow-up measurements).

Data analysis: Data will be analysed using repeated-measures analysis of (co)variance followed by post-hoc tests, as appropriate (alpha = 0.05).

Objectives:

To evaluate the effects of a Ving Tsun (VT) martial exercise programme on reactive balance control, lower limb muscle strength, balance confidence and falls in community-dwelling older adults.

Study design:

This will be a prospective, non-randomised and controlled intervention trial.

Subjects:

Approximately 40 healthy older adults will be recruited from elderly community centres by convenience sampling through poster advertising. Eligible subjects will be allocated to either the VT group (n ≈ 20) or control group (n ≈ 20).

Outcome measurements:

All subjects will be assessed before the intervention (baseline tests) and shortly after the 3-month intervention (post-tests). All subjects, regardless of group assignment, will undergo the following baseline tests and post-tests in random order.

Primary outcome measures Reactive balance control including lower extremity muscle activation onset latency and centre of pressure movement in standing.

Secondary outcome measures Lower extremity (knee) muscle strength, balance confidence and fall history.

Data analysis:

Data will be analysed using repeated-measures analysis of (co)variance followed by post-hoc tests, as appropriate (alpha = 0.05).

Inclusion Criteria:

1. aged between 55 and 70 years,
2. able to ambulate independently,
3. an Abbreviated Mental Test (Hong Kong version) score > 7 and
4. able to follow commands and communicate with others.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. unstable medical condition (e.g. uncontrolled hypertension),
2. recent injury that may affect test performance,
3. history of fragility fractures,
4. significant musculoskeletal disorder (e.g. frozen shoulder),
5. sensorimotor disorder that may affect balance performance,
6. significant neurological disorder (e.g. stroke),
7. cardiopulmonary disease (e.g. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease),
8. cognitive disorders,
9. regular engagement in sports or martial arts training (e.g. Tai Chi) and
10. too frail to participate in VT intervention.