In a study by Virginia Commonwealth University, Tai Chi was shown to have substantive effects on cardiovascular health by measuring hormones associated with heart function & stress. 

A unique psychoneuroimmunology (PNI)–based biobehavioral model of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been developed wherein modifiable risk factors related to stress and inflammatory processes are hypothesized to influence the eventual development of CVD in women. Building on their prior research,1,2 the current study examined the effects of a specific tai chi (TC) intervention designed to reduce stress-related psychosocial and inflammatory risk factors in women with early indicators of CVD risk. In a sample of 63 premenopausal women with abdominal adiposity who had a family history of CVD, the intervention was tested by using a wait-list, pretest-posttest design with repeated measures of potential indicators of intervention effectiveness derived from the research model. Ultimately, the goal of this line of research is to expand knowledge about potential mechanisms underlying evolving CVD risk in women that may lead to effective strategies for reducing risk at earlier points in the CVD trajectory.

Abstract:

This study examined the effects of tai chi (TC) on biobehavioral factors associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in women.

A randomized trial used a wait-list control group, pretest-posttest design. Data was collected immediately before, immediately after, and 2 months following the intervention.

The study was community based in central Virginia.

Women aged 35 to 50 years at increased risk for CVD.

The 8-week intervention built on prior work and was designed to impact biobehavioral factors associated with CVD risk in women.

Biological measures included fasting glucose, insulin, and lipids as well as C-reactive protein and cytokines. 

A mixed effects linear model was used to test for differences between groups across time.

In 63 women, TC was shown to decrease fatigue (∂ [difference in group means] = 9.38, p = .001) and granulocyte colony stimulating factor (∂ = 12.61, p = .052). 

This study contributes important insights into the potential benefits and mechanisms of TC and, with further research, may ultimately lead to effective strategies for reducing CVD risk in women earlier in the CVD trajectory.

Link to Full Article:

Robins, Jo Lynne, et al. “The Effects of Tai Chi on Cardiovascular Risk in Women.” American Journal of Health Promotion : AJHP, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Nov. 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4767702/.

If this article interests you, follow this link to read a related article: https://health.cleartaichi.com/cardiovascular-health-1

Or click here for 100+ ways Tai Chi can improve your health: https://health.cleartaichi.com/hallway-page

Results like these don't just come from waving your arms around and zoning out in the park for 10 minutes a day-

But it doesn't have to be hard, either.

We've put together a guide you can follow, and in just a few weeks you'll see undeniable results!

Want to Know More?

If you want to know more about Clear Tai Chi, or if your medical condition can improve with regular practice, you can ask us anything health related here: