Objective To analyze the differences of activity sequence, muscle force performance and muscle activation in lower limb joints between Tai Chi lunge and twist movement, so as to to reveal the characteristics of Tai Chi twist movement. Methods Twenty healthy Tai Chi practitioners who have practiced Tai Chi for more than 3 years were recruited. The kinematic, kinetic and muscle activation of two movements were collected simultaneously using a three-dimensional ( 3D ) motion capture system, force platform and surface electromyography, and the lower limb muscle force was obtained by OpenSim simulation software. Results Compared with lunge movement, there was a significant increase in lateral rotation amplitude of hip and ankle joint in twist movement. The knee abduction and external rotation torque increased significantly. The peak muscle strength of biceps femoris, semitendinosus and medial and lateral gastrocnemius increased, and the time of peak muscle strength of biceps femoris and medial and lateral gastrocnemius was significantly advanced, while the peak muscle strength of vastus medialis, vastus lateralis and tibial anterior muscles decreased, the tibialis anterior muscle strength reached its earliest peak. The average activation levels and activation time of biceps femoris, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, and medial and lateral gastrocnemius significantly increased. Conclusions Tai Chi twist movement is composed of ankle and hip joint rotation in turn. The uniqueness o fmuscle strength lies in that the center of gravity is shifted twice, which makes muscle strength curve of the vastus medialis and vastus lateralis of the supporting leg to be bimodal. The activation sequence and average activation level of gastrocnemius and quadriceps femoris are changed due to the delay of full foot landing. The results indicate that the full foot landing delay mode has the effect of regulating the sequence of muscle activation, and rational use is helpful to improve the clinical rehabilitation effect