Tai Chi Showed Stimulus Similar to Treadmill Exercise in Stable Patients with COPD
 
November 19, 2015 - Researchers from Guangzhou Medical University of China and the Royal Brompton Hospital of UK performed a joint study to compare the physiological work, judged by oxygen uptake, esophageal pressure swing and diaphragm electromyography, elicited by Tai Chi compared with that elicited by constant rate treadmill walking at 60% of maximal load in 11 patients with COPD.

Dynamic hyperinflation was assessed by inspiratory capacity and twitch quadriceps tension (TwQ) elicited by supramaximal magnetic stimulation of the femoral nerve was also measured before and after both exercises.

The EMGdi and esophageal pressure at the end of exercise were similar for both treadmill exercise and Tai Chi. Moreover the mean values of oxygen uptake during Tai Chi and treadmill exercise did not differ significantly: 11.3ml/kg/min (51.1% of maximal oxygen uptake derived from incremental exercise) and 13.4ml/kg/min (52.5%) respectively. Respiratory rate during Tai Chi was significantly lower than that during treadmill exercise.

Both Tai Chi and treadmill exercise elicited a fall in IC at end exercise, indicating dynamic hyperinflation, but this was statistically significant only after treadmill exercise. TwQ decreased significantly after Tai Chi but not after treadmill.

The researchers conclude that Tai Chi constitutes a physiologically similar stimulus to treadmill exercise and may therefore be an acceptable modality for pulmonary rehabilitation which may be culturally more acceptable in some parts of the world.