Changes of heart rate variability and prefrontal oxygenation during Tai Chi practice versus arm ergometer cycling.
Xi Lu, Christina Wan-Ying Hui-Chan, William Wai-Nam Tsang
PMID 27942158WHAT IT FOUND
In one experienced Tai Chi practitioner, seated Tai Chi showed a heart-rate pattern associated with more parasympathetic control and a different prefrontal oxygenation pattern than similar arm cycling.
This is a single case, not evidence Tai Chi works.
Key findings
01During Tai Chi, the decrease in HF power was less than during arm ergometer cycling, and normalized HF power was generally higher during Tai Chi.
02The LF/HF ratio was higher during arm ergometer cycling than during Tai Chi, especially from the 7th minute onwards.
03Oxygenated hemoglobin and total hemoglobin gradually increased during Tai Chi, while both initially decreased and then increased during arm ergometer cycling.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
Only one healthy Tai Chi master was studied, so the findings cannot be generalized to male subjects or to novice practitioners. The participant's mental state was not controlled. The paper says a larger prospective study is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn. It could not establish a direct connection between increased prefrontal oxygenation during Tai Chi and dominant parasympathetic control of the heart.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that Tai Chi is better than arm cycling for patients. The study measured one healthy Tai Chi master during two seated exercises and did not test clinical outcomes.