Effects of a short-term Cardio Tai Chi program on cardiorespiratory fitness and hemodynamic parameters in sedentary adults: A pilot study

This study evaluates the effects of a short-term Cardio Tai Chi program on the cardiorespiratory fitness and hemodynamic parameters in sedentary adults. Thirty-one sedentary participants (age 58±9 years, body mass 63±12 kg) were subjected to an exercise program during 10 sessions over a 10-day period within 2 weeks. The Cardio Tai Chi program consisted in a series of three to five intervals lasting 90 s each at ∼70% maximal heart rate separated by 2-min of low-intensity recovery. Primary outcome measures were cardiorespiratory fitness (peak oxygen uptake, V˙O2peak) assessed by the Rockport walking test and resting hemodynamic parameters (systolic, diastolic, mean and pulse pressures). We observed a significant difference of means was observed on post-pre V˙O2peak (4.5 ml/kg/min, 95%CI 3.1 to 5.8, p=0.004), systolic blood pressure (-5.5 mmHg, 95%CI -7.3 to -3.8, p=0.010) and pulse pressure (-3.7 mmHg, 95%CI -5.2 to -2.3, p=0.028). No significant differences were observed for diastolic pressure (-1.8 mmHg, 95%CI -2.6 to -1.0, p=0.226), mean blood pressure (2.5 mmHg, 95%CI 1.4 to 3.6, p=0.302), or resting heart rate (-0.9 beat/min, 95%CI -2.0 to 0.1, p=0.631). Our findings suggest that engaging in a short-term Cardio Tai Chi program can improve cardiorespiratory fitness and hemodynamic parameters in sedentary adults.
Source: Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies - Category: Complementary Medicine Source Type: research