A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Tai Chi Training in Cardiorespiratory Fitness of Elderly People

Abstract

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of Tai Chi on cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in elderly people using meta-analysis. Methods. This study used seven electronic databases and data retrieved from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the role of Tai Chi on CRF in the elderly. All these 24 RCTs were screened and selected from 7 literature databases. The Stata 11.2 software (StataCorp, USA) was used for the meta-analysis, subgroup analysis, and bias test, while the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool was used for the assessment of the risk of bias (RoB). 4 researchers independently participated in sample selection, data extraction, and RoB assessment. Results. Following the inclusion criteria, 24 eligible studies were included in our analysis. The meta-analysis indicated that Tai Chi practice significantly increased the maximum rate of oxygen consumption (VO2 max) (weighted mean difference (WMD) = 3.76, 95% CI: 1.25 to 6.26, P < 0.1 ), leading to an overall reduction in the heart rate (HR) (WMD = −1.84, 95% CI: −2.04 to −1.63, P ≤ 0.001 ) and an increase in the O2 pulse (WMD = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.60 to 1.28, P ≤ 0.001 ) in individuals who practiced Tai Chi regularly compared with those who did not. The subgroup analysis suggested that overall in those who practiced Tai Chi, males (WMD = 1.48, 95% CI: 0.85 to 2.12, P ≤ 0.001 ) had higher O2 pulse than females (WMD = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.33 to 1.12, P ≤ 0.001 ). The subgroup analysis also showed an increase in the vital capacity (VC) (WMD = 316.05, 95% CI: 239.74 to 392.35, P ≤ 0.001 ) in individuals practicing Tai Chi. When the samples were further stratified by Tai Chi practicing time, the subgroup analysis suggested that individuals practicing Tai Chi over a period of 24 weeks showed no significant difference in VC (WMD = 82.95, 95% CI: -98.34 to 264.23, P = 0.370 ), while those practicing Tai Chi over a period of 48 weeks showed a significant increase (WMD = 416.62, 95% CI: 280.68 to 552.56, P ≤ 0.001 ). Furthermore, the subgroup analysis demonstrated that the increase in VC is significantly correlated with the Tai Chi practicing time (WMD = 344.97, 95% CI: 227.88 to 442.06, P ≤ 0.001 ). Conclusion. Regular Tai Chi practice could improve the CRF in the elderly, as indicated by significant improvement in indicators including VO2max, O2pulse, VC, and HR. However, gender and practice time might influence the overall beneficial outcomes.

Treatment progress of cryptozoospermia with Western Medicine and traditional Chinese medicine: A literature review

“…In addition to the above methods, TCM also includes T ai‐Chi, Qi‐gong, yoga , and other methods. 123 These oriental medical strategies have unexpected effects on many diseases, such as cardiorespiratory fitness, 124 rehabilitation after COVID‐19 , 125 cancer, 126 , 127 neurocognitive functions, 128 Stroke 129 and so on.…”

Tai chi exercise is better than low-intensity steady-state cardio for improving physical fitness and sleep quality in the elderly

“…Increased flexibility is closely related to soft tissues, such as ligaments, tendons, muscles, and bone structure (Xinzheng, Fanyuan, & Xiaodong, 2022). The increase in muscle flexibility is also related to the extensibility of the musculotendinous (Tan et al, 2022). Muscle flexibility plays an important role for all age levels, considering that the older a person gets, the less flexibility they have as a result of decreased muscle elasticity and increased joint stiffness in activities (Tang et al, 2022).…”

The Efficacy and Safety of Xinjia Xuanbai Chengqi Granules in Acute Exacerbation of COPD: A Multicentre, Randomised, Double-Blind, Controlled Trial

“…As the study protocol reported [14], AECOPD patients of clinical-grade severity of I-II [1,15] with a syndrome of heat-phlegm and sthenic-fu, in the age range from 40 to 80 years, who volunteered to participate in the study and signed the informed consent were included in this trial. Meanwhile, patients who met any of the following criteria were excluded: (1) patients complicated with asthma, pneumonia, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary tuberculosis, lung cancer, or any other airflow-limiting disease with known causes and characteristic pathology; (2) patients complicated with coronary heart disease, hypertensive heart disease, or heart valve disease; (3) patients needing invasive mechanical ventilation; (4) patients with clinically confirmed or highly suspected pulmonary embolism; (5) patients with severe diseases of cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, hepatorenal, haematopoietic, or endocrine system; (6) patients with intestinal obstruction requiring surgical intervention; (7) pregnant or lactating patients; (8) mentally handicapped patients; (9) patients with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) >1.5 times the upper limit of normal reference or serum creatinine (Scr) above the upper limit of normal reference; (10) patients requiring immunosuppressants; (11) patients taking oral or intravenous antibiotics before screening for more than 3 days in the last 3 months; (12) patients allergic to the basic therapeutic drugs, Chinese herbal medicinal ingredient prescription, or other substances prescribed through the research; (14) patients who have participated in or are participating in other clinical trials in the last 3 months; and (15) patients who were considered inappropriate to participate in this clinical trial by the investigator.…”

“…Complementary treatment, whose efficacy was confirmed by many studies, has been widely used in many chronic diseases as an alternative therapy to conventional medicines [8][9][10][11]. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), characterised by the theory of syndrome differentiation and overall conditioning, implies its potential advantages in the treatment of COPD.…”