scholarly journals Tai Chi Chuan in Medicine and Health Promotion

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ching Lan ◽  
Ssu-Yuan Chen ◽  
Jin-Shin Lai ◽  
Alice May-Kuen Wong
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Artery Bypass ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Breast Cancers ◽  
Tai Chi Chuan ◽  
Orthopedic Diseases

Tai Chi Chuan (Tai Chi) is a Chinese traditional mind-body exercise and recently, it becomes popular worldwide. During the practice of Tai Chi, deep diaphragmatic breathing is integrated into body motions to achieve a harmonious balance between body and mind and to facilitate the flow of internal energy (Qi). Participants can choose to perform a complete set of Tai Chi or selected movements according to their needs. Previous research substantiates that Tai Chi has significant benefits to health promotion, and regularly practicing Tai Chi improves aerobic capacity, muscular strength, balance, health-related quality of life, and psychological well-being. Recent studies also prove that Tai Chi is safe and effective for patients with neurological diseases (e.g., stroke, Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, cognitive dysfunction), rheumatological disease (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and fibromyalgia), orthopedic diseases (e.g., osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, low-back pain, and musculoskeletal disorder), cardiovascular diseases (e.g., acute myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass grafting surgery, and heart failure), chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, and breast cancers. Tai Chi is an aerobic exercise with mild-to-moderate intensity and is appropriate for implementation in the community. This paper reviews the existing literature on Tai Chi and introduces its health-promotion effect and the potential clinical applications.

scholarly journals Tai Chi Chuan Exercise for Patients with Cardiovascular Disease

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ching Lan ◽  
Ssu-Yuan Chen ◽  
May-Kuen Wong ◽  
Jin Shin Lai
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Muscular Strength ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
Artery Bypass ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Bypass Grafting ◽  
Lower Intensity ◽  
Tai Chi Chuan

Exercise training is the cornerstone of rehabilitation for patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although high-intensity exercise has significant cardiovascular benefits, light-to-moderate intensity aerobic exercise also offers health benefits. With lower-intensity workouts, patients may be able to exercise for longer periods of time and increase the acceptance of exercise, particularly in unfit and elderly patients. Tai Chi Chuan (Tai Chi) is a traditional Chinese mind-body exercise. The exercise intensity of Tai Chi is light to moderate, depending on its training style, posture, and duration. Previous research has shown that Tai Chi enhances aerobic capacity, muscular strength, balance, and psychological well-being. Additionally, Tai Chi training has significant benefits for common cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, poor exercise capacity, endothelial dysfunction, and depression. Tai Chi is safe and effective in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery, congestive heart failure (HF), and stroke. In conclusion, Tai Chi has significant benefits to patients with cardiovascular disease, and it may be prescribed as an alternative exercise program for selected patients with CVD.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Tai Chi for Health Promotion of Older Adults: A Scoping Review of Meta-Analyses

2021 ◽  
pp. 155982762110012
Author(s):  
Fei-Chi Yang ◽  
Aishwarya B. Desai ◽  
Pelareh Esfahani ◽  
Tatiana V. Sokolovskaya ◽  
Doreen J. Bartlett
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
General Health ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Meta Analyses

Background. Tai Chi is a form of exercise that is accessible to people from different socioeconomic backgrounds, making it a potentially valuable activity for health promotion of older adults. Purpose. The objective of this scoping review was to summarize the current knowledge about the effectiveness of Tai Chi for older adults across a range of general health outcomes from published, peer reviewed, unique meta-analyses. Methods. Meta-analyses were retrieved from Medline, Embase, AMED, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, PsychINFO, Web of Science, PubMed Health, and the Cochrane Library from database inception to late August 2019. Multistage deduplication and screening processes identified eligible full-length meta-analyses. Two people independently appraised 27 meta-analyses based on the GRADE system and organized results into 3 appendices subsequently collated into heterogeneous, statistically significant, and statistically insignificant tables. Results. “High” and “moderate” quality evidence extracted from these meta-analyses demonstrated that practicing Tai Chi can significantly improve balance, cardiorespiratory fitness, cognition, mobility, proprioception, sleep, and strength; reduce the incidence of falls and nonfatal stroke; and decrease stroke risk factors. Conclusions. Health care providers can now recommend Tai Chi with high level of certainty for health promotion of older adults across a range of general health outcomes for improvement of overall well-being.

scholarly journals Leisure Participation Behavior and Psychological Well-Being of Elderly Adults: An Empirical Study of Tai Chi Chuan in China

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (18) ◽  
pp. 3387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li ◽  
Hsu ◽  
Lin
Keyword(s):  
Tai Chi ◽  
Behavioral Control ◽  
Leisure Activity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Subjective Norm ◽  
Perceived Behavioral Control ◽  
Elderly Adults ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Tai Chi Chuan ◽  
Leisure Participation

Theoretical explanation concerning the psychological well-being of elderly adults as they participate in a particular leisure activity has been rare. Based on the theory of planned behavior and the technology acceptance model, this study sought to understand the Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) participation influence factors, process, and psychological well-being of Chinese people. A self-developed questionnaire was developed to test the hypotheses of this study. Applying structural equation models, a survey of 769 TCC participations were used to test the theoretical model. The results indicated that perceived usefulness significantly and positively affect respondent attitude, family members’ influences significantly and positively affect participants’ subjective norm, and resource facilitating conditions significantly and positively affect perceived behavioral control. Perceived behavioral control, attitude, and subjective norm significantly and positively affect TCC participants. The study lends support to the notion that leisure activity participation is vital for elderly adults and their well-being, and it develops a theoretical reference model for better understanding the leisure participation perceptual reasoning processes of elderly adults. Furthermore, the results offer important implications for health policy makers, clinical prevention, and interventions using participation behavior relationships to develop well-constructed leisure programs to attract and inspire participation and, hence, improve the psychological well-being of elderly adults.

scholarly journals Tai-Chi-Chuan Exercise Improves Pulmonary Function and Decreases Exhaled Nitric Oxide Level in Both Asthmatic and Nonasthmatic Children and Improves Quality of Life in Children with Asthma

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsin-Chia Lin ◽  
Hao-Pai Lin ◽  
Hsin-Hui Yu ◽  
Li-Chieh Wang ◽  
Jyh-Hong Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Pulmonary Function ◽  
Airway Inflammation ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
Exhaled Nitric Oxide ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Tai Chi Chuan ◽  
Asthmatic Children

Tai-Chi-Chuan (TCC) is an exercise of low-to-moderate intensity which is suitable for asthmatic patients. The aim of our study is to investigate improvements of the lung function, airway inflammation, and quality of life of asthmatic children after TCC. Participants included sixty-one elementary school students and they were divided into asthmatic (n=29) and nonasthmatic (n=32) groups by the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire. Among them, 20 asthmatic and 18 nonasthmatic children volunteered to participate in a 60-minute TCC exercise weekly for 12 weeks. Baseline and postintervention assessments included forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) level, and Standardised Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ(S)). After intervention, the level of FeNO decreased significantly; PEFR and the FEV1/FVC also improved significantly in both asthmatic group and nonasthmatic group after TCC. The asthmatic children also had improved quality of life after TCC. The results indicated that TCC could improve the pulmonary function and decrease airway inflammation in both children with mild asthma and those without asthma. It also improves quality of life in mild asthmatic children. Nevertheless, further studies are required to determine the effect of TCC on children with moderate-to-severe asthma.

Study on community Tai Chi Chuan participants' leisure benefits and well-being: Using Taoyuan City as an example

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (s1) ◽  
pp. S289-S295
Author(s):  
Cheng-Jong Lee ◽  
Chun-Chi Tseng ◽  
Mei-Yu Liu
Keyword(s):  
Tai Chi ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Tai Chi Chuan

scholarly journals Tai Chi Chuan Exercise for Patients with Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuanqing Pan ◽  
Kehu Yang ◽  
Xiue Shi ◽  
Haiqian Liang ◽  
Fengwa Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Tai Chi Chuan ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Objective. Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) is a form of aerobic exercise that may be an effective therapy for improving psychosomatic capacity among breast cancer survivors. This meta-analysis analyzed the available randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effects of TCC in relieving treatment-related side effects and quality of life in women with breast cancer.Methods. RCTs were searched in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library through April 2014. Data were analyzed on pathology (pain, interleukin-6, and insulin-like growth factor 1), physical capacity (handgrip, limb physical fitness, and BMI), and well-being (physical, social, emotional, and general quality of life).Results. Nine RCTs, including a total of 322 breast cancer patients, were examined. Compared with control therapies, the pooled results suggested that TCC showed significant effects in improving handgrip dynamometer strength, limb elbow flexion (elbow extension, abduction, and horizontal adduction). No significant differences were observed in pain, interleukin-6, insulin-like growth factor, BMI, physical well-being, social or emotional well-being, or general health-related quality of life.Conclusion. The short-term effects of TCC may have potential benefits in upper limb functional mobility in patients with breast cancer. Additional randomized controlled trials with longer follow-up are needed to provide more reliable evidence.

Heart Rate Responses and Oxygen Consumption during Tai Chi Chuan Practice

2001 ◽  
Vol 29 (03n04) ◽  
pp. 403-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ching Lan ◽  
Ssu-Yuan Chen ◽  
Jin-Shin Lai ◽  
May-Kuen Wong
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Oxygen Consumption ◽  
Blood Lactate ◽  
Exercise Intensity ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Tai Chi Chuan ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Function ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Breath Measurement

Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) is a popular Chinese conditioning exercise, however, its exercise intensity remains controversial. The objective of this study was to determine the exercise intensity of Yang TCC by measuring heart rate (HR) responses and oxygen consumption [Formula: see text] during practice. Fifteen men aged 39.9 ± 9.5 yrs (range 26–56 yrs) participated in this study. Subjects had practiced classical Yang TCC for 5.8 ± 2.4 years. HR responses and [Formula: see text] were measured during practice of TCC by using a K4 telemetry system. Blood lactate was measured before and immediately after TCC practice. Additionally, breath-by-breath measurement of cardiorespiratory function and sequential determination of blood lactate were performed during the incremental exercise of leg cycling. Measurements obtained during the TCC practice and exercise testing were compared to determine the exercise intensity of TCC. While performing TCC, the mean HR of subjects was 140 ± 10 bpm, and the mean [Formula: see text] was 21.4 ± 1.5 mL·kg-1min-1. Compared with the data of the exercise test, the HR during practice was 58% of the heart rate range. Meanwhile, the [Formula: see text] during TCC practice was 55% of the [Formula: see text]. Additionally, the level of blood lactate immediately after TCC practice was 3.8 mM, which reflected the level of lactate during TCC, approximated the onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA). The results demonstrate that TCC is an exercise with moderate intensity, and is aerobic in nature.

scholarly journals Tai Chi Chuan Exercise Improves Lung Function and Asthma Control through Immune Regulation in Childhood Asthma

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Pei-Chun Liao ◽  
Han-Hong Lin ◽  
Bor-Luen Chiang ◽  
Jyh-Hong Lee ◽  
Hsin-Hui Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Function ◽  
Asthma Control ◽  
Immune Regulation ◽  
Childhood Asthma ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Tai Chi Chuan ◽  
Asthmatic Children ◽  
And Control

Background. Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) is an exercise of low to moderate intensity with key features of mindfulness, structural alignment, and flexibility to relax the body and mind in adults. Our previous study showed that TCC could improve the quality of life (QoL), pulmonary function, and fractional exhaled nitric oxide in asthmatic children. We further investigated whether the benefits induced by TCC were associated with immune regulation. Method. Six- to twelve-year-old children diagnosed with mild to severe persistent asthma for at least one year according to the Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines were enrolled from a tertiary pediatric allergy center in Taiwan. Asthmatic children were divided into two groups based on their choice: (1) the TCC group had a 60-minute TCC exercise session once weekly led by an instructor and (2) the control group kept their original activity levels. All other exercises were encouraged as usual. Pulmonary function tests, laboratory tests, standardized pediatric asthma QoL questionnaire (PAQLQ(S)), and childhood asthma control test (C-ACT) were performed before and after the TCC program (12 weeks). Data on medications and exacerbations were collected from medical records. Results. There were no differences between the TCC (n = 25) and control (n = 15) groups at baseline, except that the C-ACT showed significantly lower results in the TCC group (p=0.045). After 12 weeks, the number of leukocytes (p=0.041) and eosinophils (p=0.022) decreased, while regulatory T cells increased significantly (p=0.008) only in the TCC group. Lung functions (FEV1 and PEFR) were significantly improved in both the TCC (p<0.001) and control (p=0.045 and 0.019, respectively) groups, while the PAQLQ(S) and C-ACT (p<0.001) showed improvement only in the TCC group. Moreover, compared to the control group, the exacerbations within 12 weeks after the study were significantly decreased in the TCC group (p=0.031). After multiple regression by a conditional forward method, the factors that were significantly associated with exacerbation within 12 weeks after study is the practice of TCC and exacerbation within 24 weeks before study (p=0.013 and 0.015, respectively) after adjusting for age, sex, asthma severity, PEF, FEV1, C-ACT, PAQLQ(S), and medication score at baseline. Conclusion. TCC exercise may improve pulmonary functions, asthma control, and QoL and prevent exacerbations in asthmatic children through immune regulation. Further research on detailed mechanisms is mandated.

Relative Exercise Intensity of Tai Chi Chuan is Similar in Different Ages and Gender

2004 ◽  
Vol 32 (01) ◽  
pp. 151-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ching Lan ◽  
Ssu-Yuan Chen ◽  
Jin-Shin Lai
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Exercise Intensity ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Tai Chi Chuan ◽  
Relative Exercise Intensity ◽  
Different Ages ◽  
The Mean ◽  
And Gender

This study aims to determine the relative exercise intensity of classical Yang Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) in different ages and gender. One hundred TCC practitioners (54 men and 46 women) aged 25 to 80 years participated in this investigation. Men and women were separated into three groups: young (25–44 y/o), middle-aged (45–64 y/o) and elderly (65–80 y/o). Heart rate (HR) responses during TCC practice were measured by using electrocardiographic telemetry. An exercise test with breath-by-breath measurements of cardiorespiratory function was also performed for each subject during the incremental exercise of leg cycling. Measurements obtained during the TCC practice and exercise testing were compared to determine the exercise intensity of TCC. While performing TCC, the mean HR of men was 141±12 bpm, 132±9 bpm and 120±10 bpm in the young, middle-aged and elderly groups, respectively. Men practiced TCC with mean HR corresponding to 57.8±3.7%, 56.6±3.4% and 55.1±3.1% of heart rate reserve (HRR) in the three groups. Meanwhile, the mean HR of women was 136±10 bpm, 126±11 bpm and 115±12 bpm in the young, middle-aged and elderly groups, respectively. Women practiced TCC with mean HR corresponding to 52.7±2.8%, 51.5±2.6% and 50.3±2.9% of HRR in the three age groups. The results demonstrate that classical Yang TCC is an exercise with moderate intensity, and its exercise intensity is similar across different ages in each gender. In conclusion, TCC is an aerobic exercise and suitable for participants of different ages and gender to improve their functional capacity.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document