Tai Chi Chuan vs General Aerobic Exercise in Brain Plasticity: A Multimodal MRI Study

Abstract

This study contrasted the impact of Tai Chi Chuan and general aerobic exercise on brain plasticity in terms of an increased grey matter volume and functional connectivity during structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI), explored the advantages of Tai Chi Chuan in improving brain structure and function. Thirty-six college students were grouped into Tai Chi Chuan (Bafa Wubu of Tai Chi), general aerobic exercise (brisk walking) and control groups. Individuals were assessed with a sMRI and rs-fMRI scan before and after an 8-week training period. The VBM toolbox was used to conduct grey matter volume analyses. The CONN toolbox was used to conduct several seed-to-voxel functional connectivity analyses. We can conclude that compared with general aerobic exercise, eight weeks of Tai Chi Chuan exercise has a stronger effect on brain plasticity, which is embodied in the increase of grey matter volume in left middle occipital gyrus, left superior temporal gyrus and right middle temporal gyrus and the enhancement of functional connectivity between the left middle frontal gyrus and left superior parietal lobule. These findings demonstrate the potential and advantages of Tai Chi Chuan exercises in eliciting brain plasticity.

Lenticular nucleus volume predicts performance in real‐time strategy game: cross‐sectional and training approach using voxel‐based morphometry

“…22 There are separate groups of studies that assessed regional brain morphometry characteristics of subjects who underwent longitudinal assessments using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). 23 They showed changes in gray matter (GM) during skill acquisition of, for example, juggling, 24 playing video games, 25,26 learning languages, 27 playing music, 28,29 and aerobics, 30,31 and established a theory of brain volume (BV) expansion in task-relevant areas as an indicator of neural plasticity, 32 especially during the initial stage of learning. 33 Given the above-described examples, the debate about the predictive neural markers of learning has thus far been inconclusive and still is one of the most challenging areas in cognitive neuroscience.…”

Lenticular nucleus volume predicts performance in real-time strategy game - cross-sectional and training approach using voxel-based morphometry

“…They showed changes in gray matter during skill acquisition of e.g. juggling (24), playing video games (25,26), learning languages (27), playing music (28,29), aerobics (30,31) and established a theory of brain volume expansion in task-relevant areas as an indicator for neural plasticity (32), especially during initial stage of learning (33). Given the above described examples, the debate about the predictive neural markers of learning has thus far been inconclusive and still is one of the most challenging areas in cognitive neuroscience.…”

Effects of Mind–Body Exercise on Brain Structure and Function: A Systematic Review on MRI Studies

“…Here, TCC experts displayed greater CT in the left STG [ 36 ] and yoga experts exhibited greater GMV in the left STG [ 32 ]. In addition, 8-week TCC intervention increased GMV in the left STG and the right MTG relative to controls and the aerobic exercise group, respectively [ 58 ]. Moreover, significantly changed ReHo in the left STG and MTG was reported following 6-week multimodal intervention including TCC, which both correlated with better cognitive function [ 51 ].…”