[Purpose] This study was to examine the effects of 12 weeks of Tai Chi (TC) exercise on
antioxidant capacity, and DNA damage/repair in young females who did not perform regular
physical exercise. [Subjects and Methods] Ten female students from a Chinese university
voluntarily participated in this program. All of them practiced the 24-form simplified Tai
Chi, 5 times weekly, for 12 weeks. Plasma levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD),
glutathione peroxidase (GPx), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), hydroxyl radical
inhibiting capacity (OH·-IC), 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and 8-oxoguanine DNA
glycosylase (OGG1) were measured at 0, 8, and 12 weeks. Heart rate (HR) was monitored
during the last set of the training session at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. [Results] Plasma SOD
and OH·-IC levels were increased at 8 and 12 weeks compared to the baseline (0 weeks). Gpx
and GSH levels did not change significantly throughout the study period. The plasma MDA
level was decreased significantly at 8 weeks but not at 12 weeks compared to the baseline
value. While the plasma 8-OHdG level did not change throughout the study period, the
plasma OGG1 level was significantly increased at 8 and 12 weeks compared to the baseline
value. [Conclusion] TC practice for 12 weeks efficiently improved the oxidative stress
response in young females who did not perform regular physical exercise. The TC exercise
also increased the DNA repairing capacity.