The physiology of Tai Chi and its effect on stress
Item
- Title
- The physiology of Tai Chi and its effect on stress
- Author(s)
- Eppel Jack
- Abstract
-
OBJECTIVES: To assess some of the characteristic physiological responses of Tai Chi on metabolism and cardiorespiratory response, and to measure it's effect on metabolism cardiorespiratory function and the effect on sympathetic response and perceptions of stress.SUBJECTS: 18 males from Tai Chi clubs that practice the Wudan style of Tai Chi.
METHOD: All subjects followed a standardized procedure, whereby each subject attended the physiology lab at the British College of Osteopathic Medicine and was measured before and after Tai Chi practice using the Metalyzer 3B(r) and completed a stress questionnaire.
The subject was relaxed until their MET reading reached the value of 1.0 and a baseline recording set. The physiological measurements were recorded for 20 minutes then the subject performed Tai Chi. Once completed, after 5 minutes rest to return to steady state, the subject was recorded for a further 20 minutes. In each case VO2, VCO2, MET, BP, HR, RER, RR and EE were measured throughout. Blood pressure was taken and stress questionnaire was completed before and after.
RESULTS: The data was recorded in tables and plotted in graphs. The cardiorespiratory data was analyzed using paired t-tests and the stress questionnaire was analyzed using wilcoxon statistical analysis. Results showed that there was a significant difference (P < 0.05) between pre and post MET (P=0.0001), RER (P=0.0217) and EE (P=0.0089). Metabolism and energy expenditure increased significantly. Blood pressure and heart rate decreased overall, but not significantly. VO2 and VCO2 increased but not significantly. Results showed that subjective stress levels did decrease but not significantly and that the cardiovascular effects observed point towards being due to the inhibitory parasympathetic effects induced by Tai Chi. The respiratory effects observed appear to be due to the acute effects of exercise recovery, although these may have developed as being due to Tai Chi had the subjects been rested for longer.
CONCLUSION: This study helps to place Tai Chi in the context of Osteopathy, showing how Osteopaths may implement Tai Chi in their practices. It also provides a basis for future studies into the acute effects of Tai Chi on metabolism, physiology and stress. There are significant physiological changes but these are not conclusively attributable to the decrease in stress response caused by Tai Chi. Rather, the results seem to be attributable to the acute effects of moderate intensity aerobic exercise. - presented at
- British College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Date Accepted
- 0
- Date Submitted
- 1.1.1970 00:00:00
- Type
- osteo_thesis
- Language
- English
- Submitted by:
- 62
- Pub-Identifier
- 13667
- Inst-Identifier
- 1076
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Eppel Jack, “The physiology of Tai Chi and its effect on stress”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 5, 2025, https://www.osteopathicresearch.org/s/orw/item/1090