Effects of Tai Chi exercise on heart rate variability

Aimee R Cole; Karn Wijarnpreecha; Siriporn C Chattipakorn; Nipon Chattipakorn

doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2016.03.007

Effects of Tai Chi exercise on heart rate variability

Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2016 May:23:59-63. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2016.03.007. Epub 2016 Mar 25.

Authors

Aimee R Cole¹, Karn Wijarnpreecha², Siriporn C Chattipakorn³, Nipon Chattipakorn⁴

Affiliations

¹ Cardiac Electrophysiology Research and Training Center, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand; Cardiac Electrophysiology Unit, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand; Center of Excellence in Cardiac Electrophysiology, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand; Faculty of Life Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.
² Cardiac Electrophysiology Research and Training Center, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand; Cardiac Electrophysiology Unit, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand; Center of Excellence in Cardiac Electrophysiology, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
³ Cardiac Electrophysiology Research and Training Center, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand; Center of Excellence in Cardiac Electrophysiology, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand; Department of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
⁴ Cardiac Electrophysiology Research and Training Center, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand; Cardiac Electrophysiology Unit, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand; Center of Excellence in Cardiac Electrophysiology, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand. Electronic address: nchattip@gmail.com.

PMID: 27157960
DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2016.03.007

Abstract

Tai Chi is a callisthenic exercise form that incorporates aerobic exercise with diaphragmatic breathing. These two aspects alone have been shown to enhance the heart rate variability, warranting research into the effects of Tai Chi on autonomic nervous system modulation and heart rate variability. A low heart rate variability has been shown to be indicative of compromised health. Any methods to enhance the heart rate variability, in particular, non-pharmacological methods, are therefore seen as beneficial to health and are sought after. The aim of this review was to comprehensively summarize the currently published studies regarding the effects of Tai Chi on heart rate variability. Both consistent and inconsistent findings are presented and discussed, and an overall conclusion attained which could benefit future clinical studies.

Keywords: Autonomic nervous system; Heart; Heart rate variability; Holter monitoring; Physical activity; Tai Chi.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Autonomic Nervous System / physiology
Heart Rate / physiology*
Humans
Tai Ji*