Investigating the circulatory-respiratory response of elderly people during Tai Chi Yuttari-exercise

Takuo Nomura, Yoshiteru Akezaki, Kohei Mori, Emi Nakamata, Fuminari Asada, Yoshiaki Mori, Satoru Kai, Masahito Watanabe

Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Kansai University of Welfare Sciences, Osaka, Japan;.
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Kansai University of Welfare Sciences, Osaka, Japan;Theraputic Exercise Research Laboratory, Kansai University of Welfare Sciences, Osaka, Japan.
Osaka Rosai Hospital Center for Preventive Medicine, Osaka, Japan.

DOI: 10.4236/health.2013.512A008                

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the circulatory-respiratory dynamics in elderly people during Tai Chi Yuttari-exercise. The subjects were females with an average age of 74 years who had been continuously practicing Tai Chi Yuttari-exercise for at least six months. The heart rate and blood pressure were measured before and after the subjects performed four different versions of Tai Chi Yuttari-exercise. The perceived exertion was evaluated using the Borg scale. The respiratory rate, oxygen uptake and respiratory quotient (RQ) were measured using an expired gas analyzer. The results showed an increase in heart rate during exercise, but confirmed that the rise in HR was below the safety limit. The blood pressure tended to be low post-exercise. Regarding perceived exertion, the maximum heart-lungs Borg scale response was 9 (very light). A slight increase in the respiratory rate was observed while exercising, but no abnormal breathing patterns were observed. The average metabolic equivalents (METs) of the exercise ranged from 1.34 to 1.87, and the average RQ ranged from 0.82 to 0.90. The circulatory-respiratory dynamics observed in this study verified that elderly females with an average age of 70 years could safely perform the Tai Chi Yuttari-exercise. This study helped obtain basic data for expanding the indications for this exercise.

 

 

Keywords

Tai Chi Chuan; Exercise Therapy; Aged; Circulatory and Respiratory Physiological Phenomena; Rehabilitation

1. INTRODUCTION

Tai Chi Chuan is an ancient Chinese martial art that does not require any special equipment or setting. Tai Chi Chuan activates the whole body using balanced movements without causing undue stress. It has been shown to improve physical and psychological functions, enhance balance, reduce the rate of falling and improve cardiorespiratory functions after coronary artery bypass surgery [1-3]. Tai Chi Chuan has achieved global recognition as an exercise on par with Yoga and Pilates, although because of the stress that the exercise exerts on the knees and because it demands maximal muscular strength [4], adaptations for the elderly are needed.

For this reason, Kitakata City in Fukushima Prefecture, Fukushima Medical University, and others jointly developed a modified exercise (Tai Chi Yuttari-exercise) that incorporated Tai Chi Chuan that could be performed safely and easily by the elderly and could be practiced alone and for long periods. Continuous practice of Tai Chi Yuttari-exercise has been shown to increase physical functions and abilities such as balance [5,6], to improve the vascular function [7] and help prevent the need for long-term care [8]. In past sessions of Tai Chi Yuttariexercise conducted in our exercise classroom, we did not observe any risk events involving the respiratory or circulatory systems, confirming that the elderly could safely perform this exercise. However, the circulatory-respiratory dynamics during Tai Chi Yuttari-exercise has not yet been examined in detail. Before this specific exercise is adapted to additional patient populations, such as those with cardiovascular diseases, obtaining basic data regarding its effects on the circulatory-respiratory dynamics is needed. This study evaluated the circulatory-respiratory dynamics of elderly people aged at least 70 years before, during, and after Tai Chi Yuttari-exercise to obtain basic data on the circulatory-respiratory dynamics during this type of exercise.

2. METHODS

2.1. Summary of Tai Chi Yuttari-Exercise

Figure 1 shows typical pictures of Tai Chi Yuttari-exercise. Tai Chi Yuttari-exercise is composed of four different versions: two sitting-position patterns (basic version, 12 min; advanced version, 7 min) and two standing-position patterns (basic version, 14 min; advanced version, 8.5 min) [6]. All movements in the sitting-position patterns are performed while sitting, and a chair or other object is placed nearby during the standing-position patterns to prevent falls. The exercise involves slow movements and does not require rapid movements. All versions are characterized by beginning with slow movements and ending with a deep breath. In addition, the exercise is simple enough to be learned by watching it on a DVD [9] or looking at an easy-to-understand pamphlet. There is no need for a professional instructor.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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