MODULATION OF MOTORIC PROCESSES ON THE BASIS OF TAIJIQUAN MOVEMENT PRINCIPLES

Taijiquan (TJQ) is a Chinese martial art, in the West known primarily as a stand-alone version of moving meditation, which was developed mainly on the experience of martial art. The main goal of TJQ as a martial art is to control the opponent’s balance with as little force as possible and can be described with the well-known metaphor that “4 ounce can defeat 1000 ounce.” This metaphor usually stands for a special effect in TJQ, called fajing. To understand the basic movement principles of TJQ we have to analyse the experience itself. On the basis of firstperson analysis, we designed a number of pilot and one extensive study. In this article we will present an intervention method that uses TJQ movement principles to modulate motoric (MM) process and produces the fajing effect – which usually takes years of proper exercise – in just 15 to 20 minutes. A pilot study was designed to measure the influence of MM method on our movement. The participants had to use each arm to work on a different task. They used one arm to move the computer mouse and the cursor on the computer screen trying to catch the marker on the screen as fast and as accurately as possible. The other arm was interfered with constant steady movement forward-backward in the lateral direction. We measured the accuracy and speed of movement before and after the intervention. It turned out that the participants were more accurate in performing their task after the MM intervention than before it. Before the intervention the accuracy was 0,443 ± 0,058 and after the intervention it improved to 0,498 ± 0,053, p < 0,01. The participants could follow the disturbances much more easily after the MM intervention, they could concentrate more on their task and they were better in using their arms separately.


INTRODUCTION: ANALYSING COMPLEX EXPERINCE OF TJQ
Taijiquan (TJQ) is a Chinese martial art, in the West known primarily as a stand-alone version of moving meditation, which includes slow and controlled movements, usually practised through defined exercise sequence, known as a TJQ form.TJQ uses a special kind of movement principles, which are different from every-day movement.The step in TJQ compared with ordinary slow step provides a longer stand on one leg, an increased range of motion leg joints, longer operation times and co-activation of isometric muscles [1].Different research papers have shown that TJQ gait can be effective in improving flexibility, and can contribute to better static balance [2].The TJQ exercise can reduce fear and the possibility of falling in older people [3].Although quite some research papers deal with some of the consequences of the TJQ exercise, they are usually not concentrated on understanding the basic principles of TJQ.
The stand-alone version of TJQ was developed primarily on the experience of martial art.The main goal of TJQ as martial art was to control our own and the opponent's balance and is trained through exercise in pairs.The basis of the exercise in pairs is keeping constant contact with the fighting partner.By pushing, pulling and reflecting the participant tries to manipulate the relationship between the centre of mass (COM) and the base of support (BOS) of his or her fighting partner [4].The ideal of effectiveness in TJQ is to control the opponent's balance with as little force as possible and can be described with the well-known metaphor that "4 ounce can defeat 1000 ounce " [5,6].This metaphor usually stands for a special effect in TJQ called fajing.We talk about fajing effect when we prepare our partner to lose balance, or to bounce to maintain their balance, with very little force on our part.To achieve the fajing effect all the basic principles of TJQ should be fulfilled.
When we try to understand complex experiences as TJQ, we encounter several problems because descriptions of these are limited by the linguistic and symbolic nature of the language as such.Complex experiences are usually described with abstract and metaphorical meanings, which can be formed in different cultural contexts and which allow many different interpretations.To understand TJQ principles properly we have to analyse the experience itself.Experiences appear on the basis of physical and mental processes.Embodied cognition offers a useful model which can help us deal with complex interweaving processes that produce complex experiences.Cognitive philosophy high lightens the importance of understanding the cognition in connection with the body and its embedment in a given environment [7].We can understand the concept of embodiment and the embedment primarily in terms of bridging the gap between body, brain and environment.Based on the interactions between these levels and the combination of a variety of mechanisms, our behaviour, perception and thinking are shaped [8].TJQ experience represents one of the above-mentioned interactions.Such a model allows at least two different methodological approaches: the phenomenological analysis of experience and the possibility of quantitative research of various systems and components of these systems.We have tried to determine how physical and mental levels of experience are connected, and to what neurophysiologic processes metaphorical and abstract concepts, traditionally used to describe the experience, relate.Based on this analysis, we studied some of the neurophysiologic conditions that can produce fajing effect.Understanding the mechanisms that can produce a fajing effect can help us comprehend the basic principles of TJQ.

PHENOMENOLOGICAL RESEARCH OF TJQ AND FORMING THE EXPERIMENTS
To design proper experiments we had to understand the TJQ experience on the level of the first person.We used phenomenological approach [9].The method we used in describing the TJQ experience is similar to descriptive experience sampling method, which was introduced by Hurlburt and Heavey [10].In this method, the participant must, at random intervals, freeze current experience and write down a brief description of experiences into a notebook.By analyzing TJQ, freezing occurs based on the perception of muscle tension or stiffness of the body that happens in the process of interaction between fighting partners.Because we focused mainly on sensoric awareness and interaction with the partner, we called this type of research first-person situational analysis.Based on the first-person analysis, we designed a number of pilot studies and an extensive one.We used an innovative method for measuring the stability after the sudden release of horizontal forces, which enabled us to observe physical reactions in a controlled environment.Loading and sudden release of the load produced similar situation that we face in contact with a partner.We have developed a special method to modulate the motoric processes (MM method).A pilot study on the effects of MM method, also called a JMV method [8], will be presented in this paper.On the basis of this method we have managed to produce the fajing effect in 15 to 20 minutes.

TJQ PRINCIPLES OF BODY STABILITY
We have developed a method for measuring stability, which allows us to observe our body reactions in a controlled environment, similar to those happening in contact with a partner.A pilot [11] and extensive study was made on this topic.By horizontal loading of various parts of the body and a sudden release of the load we achieved a similar situation as in pushing and releasing when working with a partner in TJQ sparing.We selected the parts of the body that are associated with sparring, namely the hips, shoulders and the arms at shoulder height.We monitored the movement of COP, the ground reaction forces in vertical (Fz) and horizontal direction (Fy), and the movement of knees, hips, shoulders and hands after a sudden release.We monitored the reactions after the sudden release of load on two groups, TJQ group (TJQ-G) and control group (CO-G).On the basis of the results we concluded that TJQ-G had better postural control after sudden release of the load.The TJQ-G produced smaller Fz amplitudes and shifted the whole body simultaneously forward after the release.The CO-G, on the contrary, locked the knee, therefore leaned forward with upper body and produced higher Fz amplitudes [8].We can conclude that TJQ-G used a different movement strategy and consequently produced lover forces on the ground.Less intensive response can also mean that the TJQ-G can regain conscious control over the movement faster than the CO-G.The TJQ-G reacted according to the basic TJQ principles.

DISTAL MOBILITY AND MODELLING OF MOTORIC PROCESS
At the level of proximal stability the results revealed yet another important difference.There is a big difference in the ratio of intensity of Fz response in the case of arms and shoulders release.TJQ-G group had a much better relationship between the response at the level of shoulders and arms than the CO-G.Fz amplitude for arms release amounts just 70 % of the shoulder release amplitude.For the CO-G the figure is 92% [8].Based on these differences we can conclude that the CO-G had almost the same response after the shoulder and arms release.The participants from CO-G were not able to use additional joints in the case of arm loading to compensate the sudden release.TJQ-G therefore proved to have better mobility of the distal joints.
These results indicate another basic principle of TJQ movement.When we move, we have to keep our body straight, to produce less intensive reactions after disturbances, and we have to keep our arms as free as possible to move.In TJQ classical literature we can find many descriptions and metaphors that deal with the relationships between the arms and the torso.This is one of them: »Drape the shoulders and sink the elbows; Rise the back and relax the chest" [6; p.50] To master TJQ principles TJQ students usually need years of proper exercise.But because of the complexity of movement principles and different interpretations it is quite possible that they will miss the described goal.On the basis of the first-person analysis of TJQ experience we expected that we could design a new method which would at least temporarily produce the desired effects.MM method uses TJQ learning principles and movements and brings them into controlled environment, where the participant has constant feedback.With manipulation of muscle coordination, muscle stiffness and muscle synergies we try to achieve a state described with the metaphor "drape the shoulders and sink the elbows".Following this goal the MM method produced fajing effect in just 20 minutes.The effect was temporal and was usually lost after some trials.That means that participants have not learned a new way of movement, they just got the right experience.On the basis of this experience the learning process can be more efficient and faster.The MM method can give us new experience of movement and can help in learning processes.To understand the influence of MM method on our motoric patterns, we designed a pilot study.

THE PILOT STUDY: HOW DOES MM METHOD INFLUENCE OUR MOTORIC PATTERNS EXPERIMENT SETUP
In the pilot study we focused on MM method intervention at the level of the shoulders, to produce better distal mobility of arms and to achieve TJQ ideal "drape your shoulders and sink the elbows".We measured the accuracy and speed of movement before and after the MM intervention.We used a freeware "TheraWii", programmed by the Drexel Computer Science University, to measure the mentioned parameters.The software can be used to determine effects of rehabilitation process.We can use a mouse or a balance board to perform different tasks on the computer screen.To measure the movement of the shoulders, we installed a computer mouse in a moving plate and with elastic belts immobilize the arm from the elbow to the wrist (Figure 2.).The designed task was composed of thirty circles of three different sizes.We started with large circles, continued with smaller ones and concluded with the smallest circles.The circles occurred randomly on the screen.To complete the task, the participant had to move the mouse cursor inside the circle as fast and as accurately as possible, and he had to keep the cursor inside the circle for 3 second.Then another circle appeared.The participant finished the task when they hit all 30 circles.The study consisted of two separate protocols.In the first protocol we tried to determine the effects of the MM method on the accuracy and speed of the cursor on the hand where we preformed MM intervention.In the second task, we disturbed the hand where we performed intervention with a constant steady movement forward -backward in the lateral direction, and the participant performed the accuracy test with the opposite arm.The speed and the accuracy of movement was calculated with TheraWii program.In the pilot study, five participantstwo women and three men-participated in both protocols.The tasks were done before and after the intervention.

The intervention process -The motoric processes modulation method
The basic components of the MM method are established on the basis of first person analysis of TJQ experience and on the basis of understanding the basic principles of TJQ movement.To achieve the desired goal "drape your shoulders" we included also other known approaches to MM method, especially Feldenkreis and PNF (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching) approach.We can expose the main components of MM method in four main areas: 1) Partial local elimination of the need to resist gravity forces (in our case relaxing elbows on the vibration plate and keeping the participant's torso straight), 2) Gentle vibration in the range between 2 and 7 Hz with a medium-sized amplitude (1 -3 cm), 3) Using a vibration plate to move the relaxed part of the body, in our case the arm, in different directions, with smooth circular or linear movement.The movement can be done manually or mechanically, 4) Relax and extend principle.Extending one muscle or chains of muscles to slight stiffness, relaxing the muscle with self-awareness or with PNF method, and further extend the muscle or muscle chains.
In our case we used the technique to influence the motoric processes in the shoulder and in the arm.We extended the relaxed arm in three different directions (Figure 3.), sideways, forward and backward.In each direction the arm is relaxed on the vibration plate and extended until the participant feels slight tension in their arm.Then we ask the participant to tilt the head in opposite direction to achieve some further muscle tension, after a few seconds they return to normal position and their muscles relax.After the relaxation we extended the arm further until the participant feels a new tension (Figure 3.).We increased the distance for three to five times in each direction.The MM method can be done also with a computer regulated movement.In this case extension of muscle is carried out until the value on the force sensor exceeds the predetermined value.After the relaxation, the distance is increased automatically until the force sensor value is exceeded.The vibration process is a constant part of the MM method.In the last phase of intervention we performed a slow in smooth movement of the arm in different directions.In our case the intervention was carried out for 15 minutes.

DATA ANALYSIS
The program TheraWii calculates different values that relate to the motion of the cursor before successfully completing the task.In our case, we focus on two figures: the average speed of movement (V), whose calculation is based on the distance and the time that the indicator needs to achieve the goal, and accuracy (U), which is calculated on the basis of the relationship between the calculated shortest path and actual travelled distance between cursor position and its targeted circle.We used the program to calculate the average value for each of ten tasks and for each size of the circle.On the basis of the calculated averages for each person and each size of the circle, we compared the values before and after the intervention.We calculated the standard deviation.The statistical significance was measured with the twoway T -test.In the results of the main comparison (Table 1.) 300 measurements before and after the intervention were included.In addition, we calculated the correlation between speed and efficiency values before and after the MM method intervention.Because we were interested in the difference between the speed and efficiency of large and small circles, we calculated the average value for small and large circles and then compared them.

RESULTS
The calculated results showed that there was the biggest difference between accuracy of the movement before and after the intervention in the second protocol, where we disturbed the arm on which the MM intervention was performed and the participant used the other arm to complete the task.The participants were more accurate and efficient after the intervention.The values before are 0.443 ± 0.058 and after 0.498 ± 0.053, p < 0.01 (Table 1).In the case of first protocol the rate of accuracy is slightly higher but it is not statistically significant.The differences between results before and after the intervention are 0,539±0,042 and 0,548±0,04, p >0,05.
The accuracy of movement could also affect the speed, but it does not show a statistically significant difference between the speeds before and after the intervention (Table 1.).In both protocols the speed remained fairly similar.When we compare the accuracy of movement for large and small circles we can see that the only difference that is near statistical significance p=0,058, is in the case of second protocol before the MM intervention (Table 2.).The movement is much less accurate in the case of small circle when the task is more difficult.On the other side there is almost no difference between accuracy at the level of big and small circles after the MM intervention, the values are 0,503±0,047 and 0,492±0,058, p=0,572 (Table 2.).

CONCLUSION
It has been shown that the MM method does not affect accuracy of the movement of the arm where we performed the MM method intervention; at least the change was not statistically significant in our case.The difference before and after an intervention occurs in the second case, in which the task is done with the opposite hand, while the intervened arm is disturbed with constant steady movement forward -backward in the lateral direction.One of the reasons for the greater accuracy and effectiveness after the intervention could be smaller movement speed, but the average speed values do not support this option.Therefore we can conclude that in this case the speed of movement does not affect the performance.In the comparison between big and small circles accuracy we found out that there is a strong tendency towards a difference between the accuracy before the intervention in the second protocol.The participants were less accurate in the case of small circles, where the task is more difficult and the movement needs more attention.This result can indicate that in the second protocol where we have to use each arm on a different task, the participants have more difficulties to target small circles before the intervention.After the intervention there is almost no difference between accuracy in the case of large and small circles, so we can conclude that the participants could follow the disturbances much more easily after the MM intervention.This could be because they could concentrate better on the task and therefore achieve greater effectiveness and accuracy.We encounter a similar situation in TJQ exercise in pairs.TJQ classics say that in sparring you do not use "butting, insufficiency, separation and resistance in relation to the opponent, but rather use sticking, adhering, connecting, and following" [6; p.67].This goal is achieved when we minimize the effect of external on our balance.MM method can produce a similar effect in very short time and can help us to understand some of the basic principles of TJQ.On the basis of pilot study we could design further experiments, which would include measurement of brain activity before and after the intervention, and we could use a robot arm to perform the interruptions.
With the pilot study we showed to some extend that MM method can temporarily change our motoric patterns, can produce a fajing effect in a very short time, and enables using both arms separately more easily.Because the effect of MM method is lost after some time, it cannot substitute the slow motoric learning process.To learn new motoric skills several proper repetitions are needed.The MM method can help us get the right experiences and include them in our learning.The method is not limited only to understanding the TJQ, but can also help us influence or change our every-day motoric patterns.

Figure 3 .
Figure 3. Modulation of motoric process on the basis of MM method.

Table 1 .
Comparison of accuracy and speed before and after the MM intervention for both protocols.

Table 2 .
Comparison of accuracy for large and small circles for both protocols.