The effect of Tai Chi on cardiorespiratory function in patients with coronary artery bypass surgery

Ching Lan*, Ssu Yuan Chen, Jin Shin Lai, May Kuen Wong

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

117 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: This study prospectively evaluated the training effect of a 1- yr Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) program for low-risk patients with coronary artery bypass surgery (CABS) after a postoperative outpatient (phase II) cardiac rehabilitation program. Methods: Twenty patients with mean age of 56.5 ± 7.4 yr completed this study. The TCC group included nine men who practiced classical Yang TCC with an exercise intensity of 48-57% heart rate range (HRR). The control group included 11 men whom were recommended to do a home- based self-adjusted exercise program with similar intensity of phase II cardiac rehabilitation. Graded exercise tests were performed before and after 1 yr of training for all subjects. Results: Mean attendance of the TCC group was 3.8 ± 1.5 times weekly in contrast to 1.7 ± 1.1 times for the control group. During the follow-up examination, the TCC group increased 10.3% in V̇O(2peak) (from 26.2 ± 4.4 to 28.9 ± 5.0 mL · kg-1. min-1, P < 0.01) and increased 11.9% in peak work rate (from 135 ± 26 W to 151 ± 28 W, P < 0.01). However, the control group showed slight decrease in V̇O(2peak) from 26.0 ± 3.9 to 25.6 ± 4.6 mL · kg-1 · min-1 and in peak work rate from 131 ± 23 W to 128 ± 32 W. At the ventilatory threshold, the TCC group also showed significant increase in V̇O2 and work rate (P < 0.05). The control group did not significantly change in these variables. Conclusions: The study demonstrated that a 1-yr TCC program for low-risk patients with CABS could favorably enhance cardiorespiratory function.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)634-638
Number of pages5
JournalMedicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
Volume31
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1999
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cardiac rehabilitation
  • Physical training
  • Tai Chi Chuan
  • Ventilatory threshold

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The effect of Tai Chi on cardiorespiratory function in patients with coronary artery bypass surgery'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this