Thesis (M.S.)--Springfield College, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (M.S.)--Springfield College, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:00:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 AnaCSGV_DISSERT.pdf: 2411385 bytes, checksum: 4a42a73764ed85685b21a1e2942f69e0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-04-26 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior / Although research in the field of performing arts has substantially advanced over the last century, the actor, in general, still needs a repertoire of specific references to guide or support his practice. But how the actor must work the material foundation of his art that is his own body? Starting from a prerogative of a idiosyncrasy that is part of theater, this study intend, from the description and reflection about one physical experience with the Tai Chi, to weave relations between this experience and the possible developments of acting preparation. This research is also aimed to highlight the elements of connection between the principles that rules Tai Chi and the body without organs, idealized by Artaud, with the perspective of pointing possible contributions for actors work. The work presented here refers to a qualitative study that considers the body experience in practice of Tai Chi as a reference to dialogue and reflect about the acting preparation. The process of acting preparation presupposes a constant redoing of the body by certain practices. My experience with Tai Chi within this research allowed me verify that the work from established body techniques could be a way of technical preparation for the actor. As the body conscience expands, Tai Chi promotes a greater freedom of creation and expression, giving the actor the possibility of experience the body without organs, the artistic equivalent of the daily body, present, conscious, the organic foundation of emotions, in wich it is possible the materiality of ideas / Embora a pesquisa no ?mbito das artes c?nicas tenha se desenvolvido substancialmente no ?ltimo s?culo, o ator, de modo geral, ainda hoje, carece de um repert?rio de referenciais espec?ficos para apoiar ou orientar sua pr?tica. Mas como o ator deve trabalhar a base material de sua arte, ou seja, seu pr?prio corpo? Partindo da prerrogativa de uma idiossincrasia presente no fazer teatral, este estudo pretende, a partir da descri??o e reflex?o acerca de uma viv?ncia corporal com o Tai Chi, tecer rela??es entre essa experi?ncia e os poss?veis desdobramentos com rela??o ? prepara??o do ator. A pesquisa tem por intuito tamb?m destacar os elementos de aproxima??o entre os princ?pios que regem a pr?tica do Tai Chi e o corpo sem ?rg?os, idealizado por Artaud, na perspectiva de apontar poss?veis contribui??es no que diz respeito ao trabalho do ator. O trabalho aqui apresentado refere-se a um estudo de natureza qualitativa que considera a experi?ncia do corpo na pr?tica do Tai Chi como uma refer?ncia para dialogar e refletir acerca da prepara??o do ator. No teatro, o processo de prepara??o do ator pressup?e um constante refazimento do corpo atrav?s de determinadas pr?ticas. A minha experi?ncia no Tai Chi no ?mbito dessa pesquisa me permitiu verificar que o trabalho a partir de t?cnicas corporais pr?-estabelecidas pode ser uma forma de preparo t?cnico para o ator. ? medida que amplia a consci?ncia corporal, o Tai Chi promove uma maior liberdade de cria??o e express?o e proporciona ao ator a possibilidade de experienciar o corpo sem ?rg?os, o equivalente art?stico do corpo cotidiano, a experi?ncia do corpo presente, consciente, a base org?nica das emo??es, atrav?s do qual ? poss?vel a materialidade das ideias

Dans une première partie, une approche sociohistorique permet de dénaturaliser les catégories d'arts martiaux et de sports de combat forgées par des acteurs sociaux en lutte pour le contrôle d’un champ. Cette première étape permet d'identifier trois idéaux types : les combats codifiés, les combats culturalisés et les pratiques de self-defense. La deuxième partie démontre à partir des données de terrains recueillies que le Tai-chi peut être analysé comme une technique de soi et l’école de Tai-chi comme un dispositif visant à l’incorporation d’un éthos confucéen par les élèves. La troisième partie montre la subjectivation des élèves repose sur l’incorporation d’une culture kinesthésique. Cependant, les élèves transforment le dispositif d’éthopoïèse confucéen du maître en un dispositif d’exopoïèse. Le « Ren », forme idéalisée du lien social confucéen, devient une forme de non-lien social permettant d’enraciner l’école dans un imaginaire exotique. L’école devient ainsi un espace d'altérité radicale permettant un déplacement récréatif, une sublimation du quotidien. Cet espace devient ainsi un lieu privilégié de réinvention de soi. / In the first part of thesis, a socio-historical analysis allows an unnaturalision of the concept of martial arts and combat sport created by social actors in their struggle for controlling a field. This first step enables us to identify three ideal types : the codified combat, culturalised combat and self-defence practice. The second part shows from the field data that Tai-chi could be analysed as a technology of the self and the Tai-chi school as an apparatus aiming at the embodiment of a Confucian ethos by the students. The third part points out that the student subjectivation lies on the embodiment of a kinaesthetic culture. However, the student transforms the Confucianist éthopoïesis apparatus into an exopoïesis apparatus. The « Ren », an idealised form of Confucianist social relations became a form of non-social relations rooting the school in an exotic imaginary. The school thus became a space of radical alterity enabling a recreative shift, a sublimation of everyday life. Thus, the school became a favoured place of self-reinvention.

Title: Selected exercise trends and its effect on trunk stabilization function in dialysed patients - overview of the literature. Objective: Objective of this diploma thesis was to obtain and compare available studies dealing with exercise trends such as yoga, pilates, tai chi and balance training devices and to evaluate their effect on musculature which participates on trunk stabilization system of dialysed patients. Methods: This diploma thesis has descriptively-analytical character and is structured in a form of literary review. Results: Issue of dialysis in connection with trunk stabilization system has not been sufficiently explored yet in literary sources.In conclusion, there were no studies found dealing with effects of particular exercise trends on spine stabilization system of dialysed patients.In order to comprehend this issue an overview was written to define the effect of such trends on dialysed patients. Also, complications arising from renal failure and dialysis were mentioned such as hypertension, diabetes melitus and obesity.The effect of these trends on trunk stabilization system of healthy population as well as patients suffering from chronic back pain was described too. Conclusion: Some extent of coherence was found between strengthening musculature which plays an important role...

Quedas no idoso pode ser um evento devastador. Deve ser estimulada a conscientização desse grupo quanto aos benefícios de se manterem ativos. O tai chi chuan é um exercício de prática esportiva moderada que demonstra aumento no equilíbrio, marcha e postura. O objetivo foi avaliar a influência dessa modalidade no equilíbrio, postura e marcha de idosos ativos e saudáveis. Foi realizado um estudo transversal controlado com 76 voluntários, com 51 participantes da atividade para o equilíbrio, idade média de76, 8 anos. Foram utilizados quatro testes do Sistema Balance Master da Neurocom. Para análise dos dados a comparação das idades nos dois grupos utilizou-se o teste de Mann-Whitney (Siegel, 2006). O mesmo teste foi utilizado para todas as comparações entre os dois grupos quanto ao Teste Clínico Modificado da Interação Sensorial para o Equilíbrio (TCISEM), Teste da Caminhada (TC), Teste da Transferência de Sentado para em Pé (TSP) e Teste da avaliação Unipodal (TUP). O grupo do tai chi chuan apresentou valores significativos no equilíbrio e maior capacidade de recuperação. / Falls in the elderly can be a devastating event. Should be encouraged awareness about the benefits of this group to remain active exercises. Tai-chi-chuan is an exercise in sports practice demonstrates that moderate increases in balance, gait and posture. The objective was to evaluate the influence of this modality in the balance, posture and gait of elderly people active and independent. Was conducted a cross-controlled study with 76 volunteers, with 51 participants in the activity for the balance, average age de76, 8 years. We used four tests of the system\'s Balance Master Neurocom.For analysis of the data to compare the two age groups using the Mann-Whitney test (. Siegel, 2006). The same test was used for all comparisons between the two groups on the Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Integration for the balance (TCISEM), the Walk Test (CT), Test of the Transfer of sitting for standing (TSP) and Test of the evaluation Leg (TUP). The group of tai chi chuan showed significant values in the balance and gait.

Submitted by Filipe dos Santos (fsantos@pucsp.br) on 2016-11-09T10:49:32Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Nilton Kamigauti.pdf: 18775249 bytes, checksum: fee2ef8d47303da8ab1ca5ef7a3ef5ce (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-11-09T10:49:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Nilton Kamigauti.pdf: 18775249 bytes, checksum: fee2ef8d47303da8ab1ca5ef7a3ef5ce (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-09-16 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Currently, the high levels of stress pose a challenge to the contemporaneity. Teaching is one of the key professions of our society and which presents one of the highest levels of stress. In this work, it was observed that 65,3% of teachers from two schools of São Paulo suffer from stress. The purpose of this research was to assess the effects of Tai Chi Chuan on the level of stress of teachers. The instruments used were Lipp´s Stress Symptoms Inventory for Adults (ISSL) to measure the stress levels and, to the individuals that practiced Tai Chi Chuan, a questionnaire to evaluate the impressions of such individuals on practicing Tai Chi Chuan was also used. The proceeding for the selection of participants was, initially, to apply the ISSL on the 49 participating teachers. Out of such individuals, 32 presented stress and were divided, equally (based on their level of stress, age and time they have been teaching), into 16 on the control group and 16 on the experimental group. The 16 participants of the experimental group were ministered classes of Tai Chi Chuan (including Chi Kung and meditation); during the period of 2 months, they attended 8 classes of 1 hour each, once a week. At the end of the 2-month period, the 32 participants of the 2 groups were retested with ISSL and the questionnaire to evaluate the impressions of practicing Tai Chi Chuan was applied solely to the experimental group. As a result, we observed that the experimental group presented a decrease in the stress levels in order of 77,16%, while the control group did not present any relevant change. Tai Chi Chuan was proven to be an efficient technique for stress management, being a low cost activity, easily executed within the premises of the schools themselves and that does not require any equipment to be practiced; it presented a good acceptance, probably due to the swiftly achieved positive effects. Therefore, Tai Chi Chuan was effective in the decrease of the stress levels of the participating teachers / Atualmente, os altos níveis de estresse representam um desafio à contemporaneidade. A docência é uma das profissões fundamentais de nossa sociedade a qual apresenta um dos níveis mais altos de estresse. Neste trabalho, constatou-se que 65,3% dos professores de duas escolas de São Paulo sofrem de estresse. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar os efeitos da prática do Tai Chi Chuan no nível de estresse de docentes. Os instrumentos utilizados foram o Inventário de Sintomas de Estresse para Adultos de Lipp (ISSL) para medir os níveis de estresse e, para os que praticaram o Tai Chi Chuan, também foi utilizado o questionário para avaliar as impressões da prática do Tai Chi Chuan. O procedimento para selecionar os participantes foi, incialmente, aplicar o ISSL nos 49 professores participantes. Destes, 32 apresentaram estresse e foram divididos, igualmente (com base no nível de estresse, idade e tempo que lecionam), em 16 no grupo controle e 16 no grupo experimental. Os 16 participantes do grupo experimental tiveram aulas de Tai Chi Chuan (incluindo Chi Kung e meditação); ao longo de 2 meses, participaram de 8 aulas de 1 hora de duração, 1 vez por semana. Ao final dos 2 meses, os 32 participantes dos 2 grupos foram retestados com o ISSL e apenas no grupo experimental foi aplicado o questionário para avaliar as impressões da prática do Tai Chi Chuan. Como resultado, observamos que o grupo experimental apresentou uma queda dos níveis de estresse na ordem de 77,16%, enquanto o grupo controle não apresentou mudança relevante. O Tai Chi Chuan mostrou-se uma técnica eficaz no gerenciamento do estresse, sendo uma atividade economicamente barata, de fácil execução dentro das próprias escolas e que não requer nenhum equipamento para ser praticado; apresentou boa adesão, provavelmente devido aos efeitos benéficos rapidamente alcançados. Assim, o Tai Chi Chuan foi eficiente na baixa dos níveis de estresse nos professores participantes

Part 1. Characteristics of foot movement in Tai Chi exercise. The performance of 16 experienced Tai Chi practitioners demonstrating a whole set of 42-form Tai Chi movements were recorded with two cameras. The APAS motion analysis system was used to identify the foot supporting and stepping characteristics during the practice. Seven foot support patterns and six step directions were identified. The results revealed that compared with normal walking, Tai Chi movement had more double support and less single support total duration. The duration of each support pattern was longer and movement from one pattern to the next was slow. The duration of each step direction was short, and changes of direction were frequent. It was expected that support patterns changed slowly, and combined with various step directions, they were found to be better than those of walking in simulating the gait challenges that may be encountered in daily activities. / Part 2: The plantar pressure distribution during Tai Chi exercise. The purpose of this study is to describe and quantify the plantar pressure distribution characteristics during Tai Chi exercise and to explain the beneficial effects of Tai Chi on balance control and muscle strength as compared with normal walking. Sixteen experienced Tai Chi practitioners participated in this study. Five typical Tai Chi movements represented by stepping forward, backward, sideways, up-down, and fixing could be isolated from the whole set of 42-form Tai Chi. The pressure-time integral, ground reaction force, displacement of center of pressure during the performance of the five typical movements were recorded and analyzed by the Pedar-X insole system (Germany). Results showed that during Tai Chi movements, the loading of the first metatarsal head and the great toe were significantly greater than in other regions (p<0.05). The ground reaction forces varied between the Tai Chi movements and normal walking. Compared with normal walking, the locations of the center of pressure in the Tai Chi movements were significantly more medial and posterior at initial contact (p<0.05), and were significantly more medial and anterior at the end of contact with the ground (p<0.05). The displacements of the center of pressure were significantly wider (p<0.05) in the mediolateral direction in the forward, backward and sideways Tai Chi movements. The displacement was significantly larger (p<0.05) in the anterposterior direction in the forward movement. The plantar pressure characteristics of Tai Chi movements found in this study may be one of the important factors for Tai Chi's improvement of balance control and muscle strength. / Part 3. The duration and plantar pressure distribution during one-leg stance in Tai Chi exercise. The aim of this study is to quantify the one-leg stance duration and plantar pressure distribution during the one-leg stance in Tai Chi and to try to elaborate on its probable effects on the ability to balance on one leg. Sixteen experienced Tai Chi practitioners participated in this study. The Novel Pedar-X insole system (Germany) was used to record the plantar forces during the execution of a set of 42-form Tai Chi movements and during normal walking. The one-leg stance duration and plantar pressure distribution during the one-leg stance were analyzed. Results showed that in Tai Chi, the total duration spent in the one-leg stance was less (p<0.05), the duration of each one-leg stance was longer (p<0.01) and the medial-lateral displacement of the center of pressure was greater (p<0.05) than during normal walking. The peak pressure and pressure-time integral of the second and third metatarsal heads and the fourth and fifth metatarsal heads were significantly greater (p<0.05) than those of other plantar regions during the one-leg stance in normal walking; whereas the peak pressure and pressure-time integral of the first metatarsal head and the great toe were significantly greater (p<0.05) than those of other plantar regions during the one-leg stance in Tai Chi. The longer duration of each one-leg stance and the plantar pressure distribution characteristics during the one-leg stance in Tai Chi may be associated with an improved ability to balance on one leg. / Part 4. The muscle contraction characteristics of the lower extremities during Tai Chi exercise. The objective of this study is to examine the muscle contraction characteristics of the lower extremities during Tai Chi exercise and to explain the beneficial effect of Tai Chi on the improvement of muscle strength. Sixteen experienced Tai Chi practitioners participated in this study. Five typical Tai Chi movements, represented by stepping in forward, backward, sideways, up-down and fixing were selected. The electromyographic activity of the rectus femoris, semitendinosus, gastrocnemius, and anterior tibialis muscles were recorded by Delsys electromyography measurement system (USA) during the performance of five typical Tai Chi movements. (Abstract shortened by UMI.) / Mao Dewei. / "August 2006." / Adviser: Youlian Hong. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 68-03, Section: B, page: 1598. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 102-112). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

Objective. The objective of this study was to evaluate a 10-week Taiji intervention to a 10-week strength training intervention in terms of their ability to relieve osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms, alter gait, and improve mobility in seniors with knee OA. Methods. Men and women between the ages of 60 and 85 years who met the American College of Rheumatology criteria for knee OA were recruited to participate in either a simplified Taiji program (n=12), an open-chain strength training program (n=13), or a control group (n=6). All participants completed the Western Ontario and MacMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), three physical performance tests, and a 3-D gait analysis at baseline and again after the 10-week intervention. Results. The strength training group significantly improved on the time up-and-go test (p = 0.001), the WOMAC pain sub-score (p=0.006), WOMAC stiffness sub-score (p<0.001), and WOMAC physical function sub-score (p=0.011). The Taiji group significantly improved on the timed up-and-go (p<0.001), but there was no change in their WOMAC scores. Neither group showed any significant changes in either kinematic or kinetic gait variables. Conclusion. Strength training was effective for improving mobility and improving the symptoms of knee OA. Taiji was also effective for improving mobility, but did not improve the participants‟ knee OA symptoms. Neither intervention had an effect the participants walking gait.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Minnesota, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 134-146). Also available on the World Wide Web as a PDF file.