Heart Protection from a 1000-year Sport

 

Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese traditional and graceful form of sports which originated from nearly 1,000 years ago. It involves a series of movements performed in a slow, focused manner and accompanied by deep breathing.

Tai Chi has many different styles. Each style may subtly emphasize various Tai Chi principles and methods. There are variations within each style. Some styles may focus on health maintenance, while others focus on the martial arts aspect of Tai Chi.

Recently, Cole, Wijarnpreecha et al. from Chiang Mai University, Thailand have finished a review research about Tai Chi’s effectiveness of improvement to the cardiac function. The result demonstrates the aerobic property and deep breathing during the practice of Tai Chi could significantly enhance the heart rate variability (HRV: the variation in the period between consecutive R-R intervals on an electrocardiogram, increased HRV is beneficial to health), warranting research in to the effects of Tai Chi on autonomic nervous system modulation and heart rate variability. Moreover, It has been shown that Tai Chi also has the ability to improve symptoms of several types of cancer, Parkinson’s and cognitive impairment, reduce anxiety and stress, enhance balance, augment flexibility, increase strength, improve cardiovascular risk factors, increase strength, improve symptoms ensuing rheumatologic diseases, and reduce blood pressure.

Additional benefits of TC include its ability to be practiced individually at home or as part of a group since it can either incorporate exercise into busy lifestyles, or facilitate socializing. TC can be performed anywhere, does not require any equipment, is a cheap form of exercise, and is suitable for all due to its ability to be adapted.

TCM products and Chinese traditional exercises have become increasingly popular all over the world because of its concept to lead a healthy lifestyle, achieving the harmony as Man Nature Unity and Better Life Quality.

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Reference:

Cole, A. R., et al. (2016). "Effects of Tai Chi exercise on heart rate variability." Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice 23: 59-63.

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