Tai Chi Program improve cardiorespiratory fitness and hemodynamic parameters

A research team from the USA and Brazil recently published a study to evaluate the effects of a short-term Cardio Tai Chi program on the cardiorespiratory fitness and hemodynamic parameters in sedentary adults (Tin et al. 2019). Thirty-one participants were subjected to a Cardio Taichi program during 10 sessions over a 10-day period within 2 weeks. The Cardio Taichi program was designed after the integration of traditional Tai Chi practice [24] and features of aerobic exercise. The class of Cardio Tai Chi comprises selected Tai Chi stances performed at a fast pace for a higher intensity exercise.

Cardio Taichi Stance Tin et al. 2019, Under a Creative Commons license

Exercise intensity is moderated by varying the number of intervals of fast pace (two Tai Chi movements) that are interleaved by slow pace movements (one Tai Chi movement), with transitional motion (two Tai Chi movements). The high-intensity movement of each stance is progressively moving the body from moderate speed to higher speed within 90 s in each section.

In conclusion, the short-term practice of Taichi at minimum aerobic target intensity levels elicited physiological responses that positively affected cardiorespiratory fitness and hemodynamic parameters, all associated with reduced cardiovascular risk in sedentary adults.

Reference

Tin, TSK, Weng, CHD, dos Santos Vigário P, de Sá Ferreira A. (2019). Effects of a Short-term Cardio Tai Chi Program on Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Hemodynamic Parameters in Sedentary Adults: A Pilot Study. Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies, 13(1):12-18.

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