Effect of Tai Chi Synergy T1 Exercise on Autonomic Function, Metabolism, and Physical Fitness of Healthy Individuals

Abstract

Objectives Tai Chi synergy T1 exercise is an aerobic exercise derived mainly from Tai Chi exercise. It is also derived from the Eight Trigrams Palms, form and will boxing, mantis boxing, Qigong, and Yoga, with a total of 16 sessions in 63 minutes. In this study, we investigated its effects on autonomic modulation, metabolism, immunity, and physical function in healthy practitioners. Method We recruited a total of 26 volunteers and 23 control participants. Heart rate variability (HRV), blood pressure, and body mass index (BMI) were recorded before and after practicing Tai Chi synergy T1 exercise and regular walking for 10 weeks, respectively. Serum glucose, cholesterol, and peripheral blood including B and T cell counts were also measured. They underwent one-minute bent-knee sit-ups, sit and reach test, and three-minute gradual step test. Results Tai Chi synergy T1 exercise enhanced parasympathetic modulation and attenuated sympathetic nerve control with increased very low frequency (VLF) and high frequency (HF) but decreased low frequency (LF) compared to the control group. Metabolic profiles including serum glucose, cholesterol, and BMI significantly improved after exercise. The exercise enhanced innate and adaptive immunity by increasing the counts of CD3+ T cells, CD19+ B cells, and CD16+CD56+ NK cells but decreasing the CD3+ cytotoxic T cell count. All monitored parameters including physical fitness and physical strength improved after the exercise. Conclusion Tai Chi synergy T1 exercise improves autonomic modulation, body metabolism, physical fitness, and physical strength after 10 weeks of practice.

Dynamic brain-body coupling of breath-by-breath O2-CO2 exchange ratio with resting state cerebral hemodynamic fluctuations

“…Since abnormal DMN can be an indicator of neuronal disorders [84,85], future studies on different patient populations may help clarify the meaning of abnormal bER-CHF coupling. Our brain-body coupling framework may be applied in the investigation of brain responses to voluntary respiratory techniques like meditation, yoga breathing or tai-chi [86][87][88][89][90][91][92][93] to manipulate RGE for intervention purpose. Instrument assisted respiratory techniques like the Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) [94][95][96] that applies to sleep apnea or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) may also be considered.…”

Metamorphoses of Martial Arts: Meditations on Motivations and Motive Forces during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…However, in broadly conventional medical terms, physiologically it can be said to relate, at least in part, to the ways that taiji's relaxed, controlled and measured breathing and coordinated movement stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system (the 'rest and digest' system). As well as taiji, other practices, such as gentle pranayama, meditation, qigong, yoga, and even things like sunbathing or taking warm showers all generate a sense of wellbeing via the stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system in similar ways [Tai et al 2018 Higher-impact practices are said to stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, by exposing the body to stress. In martial arts training, the most obvious source of such stress/stimulation is sparring (although 'drilling' with weapons can also be highly stressful in this way).…”

Dynamic Brain-Body Coupling of Breath-by-Breath O2-CO2Exchange Ratio with Resting State Cerebral Hemodynamic Fluctuations

“…B-waves with a period of 0.5 to 2 minutes have been reported to be related to autoregulation of microvasculature, spontaneous rhythmic oscillations in intracranial pressure (ICP), and intrinsic brainstem rhythm that leads to cerebral blood volume modulation (Lundberg, 1960;Spiegelberg et al, 2016). B-waves may also independently reflect neurovascular coupling process by altering vascular diameters to ensure the delivery of O 2 and other circulating metabolites through the contractile properties of pericytes or vascular smooth muscle cells (Hill et al, 2015;Mulligan and MacVicar, 2004;Takano et al, 2006;Zonta et al, 2003). Since oscillations of B-waves can be associated with or without the change of arterial CO 2 (Spiegelberg et al, 2016).…”

“…Since abnormal DMN can be an indicator of neuronal disorders (Greicius et al, 2004;Raichle, 2015), future studies on different patient populations may help clarify the meaning of abnormal bER-DMN coupling. Our brain-body coupling framework may apply in the investigation of brain responses to voluntary respiratory techniques like meditation, yoga breathing or tai-chi (Chaya et al, 2006;Garcia et al, 2018;Kesterson and Clinch, 1989;Ray et al, 2011;Sood et al, 2007;Tai et al, 2018;Wells et al, 2013;Zheng et al, 2015) to manipulate RGE for intervention purpose. This also includes the Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) (Carlucci et al, 2015;Khamankar et al, 2018;Xiang et al, 2009) that applies to sleep apnea or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).…”