Slow Moving Tai Chi is ‘More Effective Than Aerobic Exercise’ For Reducing High Blood Pressure

[Michie]

A new study found the ancient Chinese martial art of Tai Chi was more effective in reducing high blood pressure than other forms of exercise such as brisk walking or stair climbing.

Chinese scientists compared two groups of participants with high blood pressure over one year—one practicing Tai Chi and the other performing aerobic exercise.

The authors of the study, published in the JAMA Network Open journal, say their results should encourage health advisors to promote the gentle martial art in preventing heart disease in those with hypertension.

Researchers from the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences took 342 participants with prehypertension–blood pressure that’s slightly higher than normal–and split them into two groups.

Half the participants (average age 49) performed Tai Chi, the Chinese martial art practiced for self-defense and health, during four supervised sessions every week for one year.

The traditional mind-body exercise guides individuals to concentrate on very slow and fluid movements that can benefit an individual’s balance, breathing, and heart function. (Watch a beginning lesson below…) Previous studies have also shown its benefits in reducing blood pressure.

The other half of participants performed aerobic exercise including climbing stairs, jogging, brisk walking, and cycling four times a week during the same time frame.


Researchers measured the systolic blood pressure (SBP) of participants at six months and at the end of the study. At both stages, they found significant differences in the blood pressure of the two groups.

Continued below.

Slow Moving Tai Chi is 'More Effective Than Aerobic Exercise’ For Reducing High Blood Pressure

The ancient Chinese movements of Tai Chi were more effective in reducing high blood pressure than aerobic exercise, says new study.

www.goodnewsnetwork.org

 

[Proselyte of Yah]

I'm moved to say I'd like to share this info on Tai Chi considering its religious and cultural context, just for consideration before getting into it for people's consciences (which I also share as a former Taijiquan practitioner):

Slow forms of dance, however, would likely give the same benefits, when examining the physical aspects of what's happening.

 

[The Liturgist]

I’m constantly tachycardic and tend to have slightly elevated dystolic BP.

 

[The Liturgist]

I'm moved to say I'd like to share this info on Tai Chi considering its religious and cultural context, just for consideration before getting into it for people's consciences (which I also share as a former Taijiquan practitioner):

Slow forms of dance, however, would likely give the same benefits, when examining the physical aspects of what's happening.

By the way perhaps you might enjoy a friendly discussion in fellowship some time, via private message, as I consider myself to be among the most devoutly Nicene Trintarian members of the forum and have icons of St. Athanasius, St. Nicholas and St. Basil watching over me (although not the Father, since He is invisible, but there is the icon that I have used as my avatar on CF.com, “The Hospitality of Abraham”, which is a famous Orthodox icon which symbolizes the Trinity).

The interesting thing is that I have never met an actual self-described Arian, as opposed to people who have similar beliefs to Arius, like the J/Ws, and various other non-Trinitarians; I did find an interesting website for an Arian Catholic Church, but if you regard yourself primarily as following in the precise tradition of Arius I would really enjoy conversing with you. So do send me a PM if that sounds appealing.