Tai Chi as a form of exercise training in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese martial art which incorporates elements of strengthening, balance, postural alignment and concentration. The benefits of Tai Chi in the healthy population have been widely examined. In comparison, only three studies have evaluated the effects of Tai Chi in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Existing evidence suggests that the exercise intensity of Tai Chi reaches a moderate level in people with COPD. Furthermore, a short-term program of Tai Chi improves exercise capacity, health-related quality of life, balance and quadriceps strength in people with mild to moderate COPD. More studies are warranted to examine the effects of different styles of Tai Chi and the long-term benefits of Tai Chi as an exercise regimen for people with COPD.

Keywords::

• COPD
• exercise intensity
• exercise training
• pulmonary rehabilitation
• Tai Chi

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Key issues

• • Tai Chi has short-term benefits on exercise capacity, balance, muscle strength and health-related quality of life in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) after a 12-week training program.

• • The exercise intensity of short-form Sun-style Tai Chi reached a moderate level of intensity of 64% VO_2peak or 53% of VO₂ reserve in people with COPD who performed Tai Chi at a moderate level of dyspnea or perceived exertion.

• • People with COPD should be encouraged to try alternative exercise interventions particularly if conventional pulmonary rehabilitation is not available. Bringing alternative exercise interventions such as Tai Chi to mainstream practice may be an important strategy to manage the growing numbers of people with COPD.

• • There are many different styles of Tai Chi. More studies are needed to determine the most suitable style of Tai Chi for improving exercise capacity and HRQoL in people with COPD.

• • Until further research is conducted, the ability to adhere to Tai Chi training in the long-term and the benefits attained from long-term adherence in people with COPD remains unknown.