{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,14]],"date-time":"2026-10-14T17:49:50Z","timestamp":1792000190246,"version":"4.4.0"},"reference-count":39,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,9]],"date-time":"2025-10-09T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1759968000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Psychol."],"abstract":"<jats:sec><jats:title>Objective<\/jats:title><jats:p>To investigate the effects of traditional martial arts Tan Tui practice on the brain mechanisms of postural control in obese college students.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title><jats:p>Eighty obese college students were randomly divided into a Tan Tui practice group (TT) and a control group (CON), with 40 participants in each group. The TT group engaged in Tan Tui practice, while the CON group performed jogging. The intervention period was 14 weeks (3 times per week, 60 min each session). Absolute power of the alpha frequency band was assessed at baseline (pre-intervention) and after 14 weeks (post-intervention) for brain regions related to cognitive function and sensorimotor function.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results<\/jats:title><jats:p>(1) Absolute Brain Power: Compared to the control group, the experimental group showed significant differences (<jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic> &amp;lt; 0.05) in alpha band power in brain regions associated with cognitive function (prefrontal: FP1, FPz, FP2; temporal: T8, P7; occipital: O1) and sensorimotor function (posterior frontal: F7, F3, FZ; parietal: P3, P4; central: C3, CZ). Compared to pre-intervention, the experimental group showed significant differences (<jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic> &amp;lt; 0.05) in alpha band power after training in cognitive function (prefrontal: FPz; temporal: T7, T8, P7, P8; occipital: O1) and sensorimotor function (posterior frontal, parietal, and central lobes). (2) Brain Region Symmetry: Compared to the control group, the difference in alpha band power between the left and right hemispheres of the occipital lobe (cognitive function) and central lobe (sensorimotor function) showed significant differences (<jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic> &amp;lt; 0.05) after training. Compared to pre-intervention, the experimental group showed significant differences (<jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic> &amp;lt; 0.05) in alpha band power after training in sensorimotor function (posterior frontal and central lobes). (3) Brain Region Synergy: Compared to pre-intervention, the experimental group showed a significant positive correlation (<jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic> &amp;lt; 0.05) in the synergy between the prefrontal and occipital lobes, and the temporal and occipital lobes, which are cognitive function brain regions. After training, there was a significant positive correlation (<jats:italic>P<\/jats:italic> &amp;lt; 0.05) in the synergy among sensorimotor function brain regions. Furthermore, after training, there was a significant positive correlation (<jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic> &amp;lt; 0.05) in the synergy between different sensorimotor function brain regions (posterior frontal, parietal, central) and cognitive function-related brain regions.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title><jats:p>A 14-week systematic traditional martial arts Tan Tui training program can significantly enhance cortical excitability, improve functional symmetry between the left and right brain hemispheres, and strengthen the synergy among multiple brain regions in obese college students. Our findings demonstrate that traditional martial arts practice induces measurable neural plasticity and improves postural control and brain function in populations. This study links Tan Tui to modern neurophysiological evidence, offering novel insights into mind\u2013body interventions for brain health in obesity.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2025.1681295","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,9]],"date-time":"2025-10-09T15:11:26Z","timestamp":1760022686000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["A study on the brain mechanisms of postural control improvement in obese college students through traditional martial arts Tan Tui practice"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"16","author":[{"given":"Youhua","family":"Li","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Quanwei","family":"Tang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Qiao","family":"Huang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,9]]},"reference":[{"key":"B1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"100401","DOI":"10.1016\/j.clinsp.2024.100401","article-title":"Postural balance and functional mobility in relation to BMI and body composition among female students at a College of Applied Medical Sciences: a cross-sectional study","volume":"79","author":"Almurdi","year":"2024","journal-title":"Clinics"},{"key":"B2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e251","DOI":"10.1111\/ajag.12782","article-title":"The influence of age and overweight or obesity on foot sensitivity and postural control: a systematic review","volume":"39","author":"Andreato","year":"2020","journal-title":"Australas. J. Ageing"},{"key":"B3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"165","DOI":"10.1016\/S0304-3940(98)00934-3","article-title":"Are cognitive processes manifested in event-related gamma, alpha, theta and delta oscillations in the EEG?","volume":"259","author":"Ba\u015far","year":"1999","journal-title":"Neurosci. Lett."},{"key":"B4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1295","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jbiomech.2009.03.006","article-title":"Effects of excessive body weight on postural control","volume":"42","author":"B\u0142aszczyk","year":"2009","journal-title":"J. Biomech."},{"key":"B5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2557","DOI":"10.1007\/s00221-020-05914-8","article-title":"Obesity-related alterations in anticipatory postural mechanisms associated with gait initiation","volume":"238","author":"Caderby","year":"2020","journal-title":"Exp. Brain Res."},{"key":"B6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"98","DOI":"10.1523\/JNEUROSCI.4137-08.2009","article-title":"Prelude to and resolution of an error: EEG phase synchrony reveals cognitive control dynamics during action monitoring","volume":"29","author":"Cavanagh","year":"2009","journal-title":"J. Neurosci."},{"key":"B7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1000427","DOI":"10.3389\/fnagi.2022.1000427","article-title":"Tai Chi practice enables prefrontal cortex bilateral activation and gait performance prioritization during dual-task negotiating obstacle in older adults","volume":"14","author":"Chen","year":"2022","journal-title":"Front. Aging Neurosci."},{"key":"B8","volume-title":"Rules and Judging Methods for Martial Arts Routine Competitions","year":"2013"},{"key":"B9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1241","DOI":"10.3390\/nu12051241","article-title":"Impact of stress levels on eating behaviors among college students","volume":"12","author":"Choi","year":"2020","journal-title":"Nutrients"},{"key":"B10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"59","DOI":"10.1038\/nrn2555","article-title":"How do you feel \u2014 now? The anterior insula and human awareness","volume":"10","author":"Craig","year":"2009","journal-title":"Nat. Rev. Neurosci."},{"key":"B11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"229","DOI":"10.1016\/j.pmedr.2015.03.008","article-title":"Weight gain in freshman college students and perceived health","volume":"2","author":"de Vos","year":"2015","journal-title":"Prev. Med. Rep."},{"key":"B12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.7860\/JCDR\/2024\/73052.20294","article-title":"Impact of body mass index on coordination, static and dynamic balance in young adults: a case-control study","author":"Debnath","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Clin. Diagnostic Res"},{"key":"B13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"377","DOI":"10.1111\/cob.12209","article-title":"A preliminary study of static and dynamic balance in sedentary obese young adults: the relationship between BMI, posture and postural balance","volume":"7","author":"do Nascimento","year":"2017","journal-title":"Clin. Obes."},{"key":"B14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"175","DOI":"10.3758\/BF03193146","article-title":"G*Power 3: a flexible statistical power analysis program for the social, behavioral, and biomedical sciences","volume":"39","author":"Faul","year":"2007","journal-title":"Behav. Res. Methods"},{"key":"B15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/5584_2023_782","article-title":"Combined endurance and strength or only endurance training? Effects of training mode on neuromuscular characteristics and functional abilities in obese adolescent girls enrolled in a weight-reduction program","author":"Garcia-Vicencio","year":"2023","journal-title":"Adv. Exp. Med. Biol."},{"key":"B16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.15343\/0104-7809.202549e16852024I","article-title":"Differences in food intake, body composition, and physical activity between university students with normal - weight obesity and normal - weight lean","volume":"49","author":"Hariyanto","year":"2025","journal-title":"O Mundo da Sa\u00fade"},{"key":"B17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1115","DOI":"10.1007\/s12519-023-00709-7","article-title":"Trends of obesity and overweight among children and adolescents in china","volume":"19","author":"Hong","year":"2023","journal-title":"World J. Pediatrics"},{"key":"B18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e2237","DOI":"10.1002\/hsr2.2237","article-title":"Prevalence and associated factors of overweight in Chinese adolescents: a cross-sectional study","volume":"7","author":"Huang","year":"2024","journal-title":"Health Sci. Rep."},{"key":"B19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"186","DOI":"10.3389\/fnhum.2010.00186","article-title":"Shaping functional architecture by oscillatory alpha activity: gating by inhibition","volume":"4","author":"Jensen","year":"2010","journal-title":"Front. Hum. Neurosci."},{"key":"B20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"926","DOI":"10.1177\/1557988317750990","article-title":"Overweight and obesity among chinese college students: an exploration of gender as related to external environmental influences","volume":"12","author":"Jiang","year":"2018","journal-title":"Am. J. Men's Health"},{"key":"B21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"606","DOI":"10.1016\/j.tics.2012.10.007","article-title":"Alpha-band oscillations, attention, and controlled access to stored information","volume":"16","author":"Klimesch","year":"2012","journal-title":"Trends Cogn. Sci."},{"key":"B22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"599","DOI":"10.1186\/s13063-024-08447-5","article-title":"Effects of different intensity of leg kick exercises on the posture control of students in Taijiquan elective course","volume":"59","author":"Li","year":"2021","journal-title":"China Sport Sci. Technol."},{"key":"B23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"223","DOI":"10.1016\/j.intell.2008.10.008","article-title":"Intelligence and neural efficiency: measures of brain activation versus measures of functional connectivity in the brain","volume":"37","author":"Neubauer","year":"2009","journal-title":"Intelligence"},{"key":"B24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"58","DOI":"10.1016\/j.psychres.2015.01.029","article-title":"Prevalence and correlates of being overweight or obese in college","volume":"227","author":"Odlaug","year":"2015","journal-title":"Psychiatry Res."},{"key":"B25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e2827","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0002827","article-title":"Increased resting-state functional connectivity in obese adolescents: a magnetoencephalographic pilot study","volume":"3","author":"Olde Dubbelink","year":"2008","journal-title":"PLoS ONE"},{"key":"B26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1588","DOI":"10.1152\/jn.00506.2022","article-title":"Changes in EEG alpha-band power during prehension indicates neural motor drive inhibition","volume":"130","author":"Ortiz","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Neurophysiol."},{"key":"B27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"4912","DOI":"10.1002\/hbm.25167","article-title":"Whole-brain functional connectivity correlates of obesity phenotypes","volume":"41","author":"Park","year":"2020","journal-title":"Hum. Brain Mapp."},{"key":"B28","volume-title":"Quan Jing","author":"Ren","year":"1985"},{"key":"B29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"77","DOI":"10.1016\/j.neulet.2005.10.009","article-title":"Representation of motor skills in human long-term memory","volume":"391","author":"Schack","year":"2006","journal-title":"Neurosci. Lett."},{"key":"B30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"120","DOI":"10.4103\/jsip.jsip_81_24","article-title":"Impact of obesity on balance and musculoskeletal flexibility in primary school children","volume":"40","author":"Sharma","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Soc. Indian Physiotherapists"},{"key":"B31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"181","DOI":"10.26724\/2079-8334-2022-4-82-181-186","article-title":"Biomechanical aspects of posture control of the human body","volume":"18","author":"Strashko","year":"2022","journal-title":"World Med. Biol."},{"key":"B32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"281","DOI":"10.3389\/fnhum.2015.00281","article-title":"Neuroprotective effects of yoga practice: age-, experience-, and frequency-dependent plasticity","volume":"9","author":"Villemure","year":"2015","journal-title":"Front. Hum. Neurosci."},{"key":"B33","volume-title":"Wushu","author":"Wang","year":"2011"},{"key":"B34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"586076","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2020.586076","article-title":"Electrical brain activity and its functional connectivity in the physical execution of modern Jazz dance","volume":"11","author":"Wind","year":"2020","journal-title":"Front. Psychol."},{"key":"B35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"55","DOI":"10.13293\/j.cnki.wskx.006549","article-title":"Research of Tantui Quan","volume":"27","author":"Wu","year":"2017","journal-title":"Res. Wushu"},{"key":"B36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1382","DOI":"10.3758\/s13423-015-0999-9","article-title":"Optimizing performance through intrinsic motivation and attention for learning: the OPTIMAL theory of motor learning","volume":"23","author":"Wulf","year":"2016","journal-title":"Psychonomic Bull. Rev."},{"key":"B37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"43","DOI":"10.1186\/s13047-022-00552-5","article-title":"Bilateral symmetry of vertical time to stabilization in postural sway after double-leg landing in elite athletes with unilateral chronic ankle sprain","volume":"15","author":"Yalfani","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Foot Ankle Res."},{"key":"B38","volume-title":"Tan Tui","author":"Zhang","year":"1985"},{"key":"B39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"347","DOI":"10.16462\/j.cnki.zhjbkz.2022.03.018","article-title":"Prevalence and influencing factors of obesity and abdominal obesity among adults in Shenzhen in 2018","volume":"26","author":"Zhao","year":"2022","journal-title":"Chin. J. Dis. Control Prev."}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Psychology"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2025.1681295\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,9]],"date-time":"2025-10-09T15:11:28Z","timestamp":1760022688000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2025.1681295\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,9]]},"references-count":39,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fpsyg.2025.1681295"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2025.1681295","relation":{},"ISSN":["1664-1078"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1664-1078","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,9]]},"article-number":"1681295"}}