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Doing Tai Chi Improves Health and Lifespan: Study

Doing Tai Chi Improves Health and Lifespan
(Photo : Flickr) Doing Tai Chi Improves Health and Lifespan

Tai Chi can defer the aging process, finds a new study.

Tai Chi Ch'uan or Tai Chi is a form of ancient Chinese martial art practiced for learning defense techniques and improving health. Recently, experts found Tai Chi improves life span by raising the number of CD34+ cells that are "cluster markers" of hematopoietic stem cells or blood stem cells in the body. These cells aid improvement, recovery and generation of cells that are important for body function and structure.

 The study observed 32 healthy people aged 25 on average for almost a year to note the anti-aging effects of physical activities. The trial specifically chose younger participants who unlike older people have better cell regeneration capacity and do not take medications or have serious health conditions. These subjects were divided in to three groups- a group that practiced Tai Chi, group that  did brisk walking daily and a group that did not follow any exercise regime.

A year later, among all participants, individuals who practiced Tai Chi were recorded having the highest number of CD 34+ cells. The overall CD 34+ cells count in the group that did brisk walking was higher than that of non-exercising participants.

The authors said that doing Tai Chi triggers responses in the body that increase blood circulation and widen blood vessels or vasodilatation. In addition, it improves aerobic capacity, helps develop body balance by preventing falls and reduces pain, stress and blood pressure.

"This study provides the first step into providing scientific evidence for the possible health benefits of Tai Chi," said Paul R. Sanberg, co-author and distinguished professor at the Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa in a news release.

"Further study of how Tai Chi can elicit benefit in different populations and on different parameters of aging are necessary to determine its full impact."  

Tai Chi is known to have positive health impacts on patients of mild to moderate Parkinson's disease and fibromyalgia. Moreover, Tai Chi is a better option than brisk walking as it requires lesser space to practice.

More information is available online in journal Cell Transplantation.

May 29, 2014 09:34 AM EDT By

MD News Daily

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