Effect of T'ai Chi Chuan Training on Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Dyslipidemic Patients

Objective: T'ai chi chuan (TCC) is a traditional Chinese exercise and is beneficial for health. Nevertheless, its effect on cardiovascular risk factors in dyslipidemic patients is not clear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of TCC training on coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors in patients with dyslipidemia. Design: This was designed as a case-controlled study. Setting: The study was conducted in a community setting. Subjects: Fifty-three (53) patients (males: 24; females: 29) with dyslipidemia completed this study. Interventions: The TCC group included 28 patients who participated in a 12-month yang TCC training program. The usual-care group included 25 patients who maintained a sedentary lifestyle during this study. Outcome measures: Exercise testing was conducted at baseline and after 1 year of training. Body composition, lipid profile, fasting glucose and insulin levels, and inflammatory markers were also measured before and after training. Results: After training, the TCC group showed an increase in (V)over dotO(2peak) from 25.2 +/- 4.2 to 27.4 +/- 4.1 mL . kg(-1) . min(-1); while the usual-care group displayed a significant decrease from 25.6 +/- 4.9 to 24.1 +/- 4.0 mL . kg(-1) . min(-1). The TCC group also showed a reduction in blood pressure, triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, plasma insulin, homeostasis model assessment index, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Conversely, the usual-care group showed no significant improvement in these cardiovascular risk factors. Conclusions: A 12-month TCC training program significantly improves aerobic capacity and CHD risk factors in patients with dyslipidemia.