There is no doubt that exercise can be highly beneficial for heart health. Research findings show that the martial art of Tai Chi Chuan is very effective in reducing cardiovascular diseases. Stay with us at SaadNews for more insights.
Tai Chi is often referred to as "dynamic meditation," but the term "movement therapy" seems more fitting. There is substantial evidence that this mind-body exercise, which originated as a martial art in China, can help treat or prevent many health problems. To practice Tai Chi, you don’t need to be in perfect physical shape or completely healthy. Anyone can easily engage in Tai Chi, from people with the fittest bodies to those in wheelchairs or individuals recovering from surgery. During this light exercise, which includes slow movements, a series of actions are performed, often named after animals or martial arts movements. For example, one Tai Chi movement is called "The White Crane Spreads Its Wings." While performing the movements, you breathe naturally and deeply, and focus your attention—much like in certain forms of meditation—on your bodily sensations. Tai Chi differs from other sports in many ways. The movements in this exercise are typically circular, and no force is used to perform them. Instead of contracting muscles, they are relaxed and expanded; joints are neither fully bent nor fully extended, and connective tissues are not stretched.
Cardiovascular diseases are among the leading causes of death in human societies, and combating risk factors for these diseases is considered one of the most essential actions that health organizations can take to reduce mortality. One of the primary risk factors for cardiovascular diseases is physical inactivity, which has been exacerbated by the advancement of technology and the invention of various machines and industrial tools in recent times. For a long time, exercise has been recognized as a therapeutic method and one of the ways to prevent diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases. Breathing exercises in Tai Chi can also help maintain lung health and improve blood circulation in the body. Tai Chi is categorized as a soft and internal martial art, and it strengthens and enhances flexibility of the muscles with gentle and simple exercises. Tai Chi Chuan exercises, performed with slow, calm movements, are usually done in groups, often in the morning. Experts in this field believe that group practice of Tai Chi has a better effect than individual practice. However, Tai Chi exercises haven’t significantly improved heart rate, aerobic fitness levels, or general health scores. According to researchers, the physical and psychological benefits of these types of exercises for patients should be determined through scientific evidence.
Researchers at Shanghai University in China conducted a review study and found that Tai Chi and other traditional Chinese exercises could be beneficial for heart patients. The study reviewed 35 research papers in which 2,200 people from 10 different countries participated.
The researchers found that, among individuals with heart disease, engaging in low-risk exercises such as Tai Chi not only reduced blood pressure and levels of "bad" cholesterol but also decreased unhealthy fats in the blood. Participating in such exercises was also effective in improving the quality of life and reducing depression among patients. Tai Chi breathing exercises can also help keep the lungs healthy and improve blood circulation.
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