Effect of 3-month Tai Chi Exercise on Heart and Lung Capability of Elder People

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of Tai Chi exercise on cardio-pulmonary function and physical quality of the elder female individuals. METHODS: The subjects of this experiment are 50 elder female individuals who were divided into 2 groups randomly the exercise group(25 cases) and the control group(25 cases). The exercise group had learned Tai Chi for one week before the experiment began. After mastering the Tai Chi, the exercise group practiced 50-60min pre time, five times pre week for three months, and the control group had no exercise with collective or individual scheme. The indexes of cardio-pulmonary function and physical quality of the elder female individuals were measured before and after 3-month exercise. RESULTS: After three months Tai Chi exercise, the exercise group showed decrease in DBP(P<0.05), increase in FEV1(P<0.05), significant increase in FEV1%(P<0.01), increase in FC,VC,FVC and MVV(P>0.05), significant increase in back strength (P<0.01), increase in sit-and-reach and eye-closed and single-legged (P<0.05), significant decrease in reaction time(P<0.01). The control group showed no significant change in these variables including DBP, FEV1, FEV1%, back strength, sit-and-reach, eye-closed and single-legged (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Tai Chi exercise has the positive effects on cardio-pulmonary function, and has improved the strength, flexibility, balance and sensitivity and physical qualities of elder female individuals.