Table 3

Summary of studies on the impact of Tai Chi chuan (TCC) exercise on cardiorespiratory function

Reference	Subject numbers Average age (years)	Design and measurements	Results
IN, Intervention; BT, balance training.
BMUISM²⁵	N = 31	1 min step test, ECG, blood pressure	TCC practitioners showed significantly better cardiac function and lower blood pressure.
	Age = 50–89
Zhang²⁸	N = 11 (TCC)	1 year IN	TCC group showed significantly better working power, cardiac function, and blood dynamics.
	Age = 61.33	Working capacity (PWC₁₃₀), cardiac function, and haemodynamics
	N = 12 (Con)
	Age = 60.41
Lai et al¹²	N = 84 (TCC)	2 year IN	Regular practice TCC may delay the decline of cardiorespiratory function in older adults.
	N = 39 (Con)	Cardiorespiratory function
	Age = 64
Channer et al²⁹	N = 38 (TCC)	8 week IN	There was a negative trend in diastolic blood pressure in the TCC group. Significant trends in systolic blood pressure were found in the TCC and aerobic groups.
	N = 41 (aerobic)	Blood pressure
	N = 47 (Con)
	Age = 56
Lan et al¹⁵	N = 41 (TCC)	Cross sectional study	TCC practitioners have higher peak oxygen uptake, and higher oxygen uptake at the ventilatory threshold.
	N = 35 (Con)	Cardiorespiratory function
	Age = 69.3
Schaller¹⁷	N = 24 (TCC)	10 week IN	TCC intervention did not change the systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
	N = 22 (Con)	Blood pressure
	Age = 70
Wolf et al¹⁸	N = 72 (TCC)	15 week IN and 4 month follow up	TCC training significantly improves cardiovascular endurance.
	N = 64 (BT)	Cardiovascular endurance (12 minutes walk with recorded heart rate and blood pressure)
	N = 64 (Education)
	Age = 76.2
Young et al⁴⁰	N = 62 (TCC or aerobic)	12 week IN	TCC programme of light activity can decrease blood pressure in previously sedentary adults.
	Age≥ 60	Blood pressure
Lan et al³⁰	N = 9 (TCC)	1 year IN	TCC exercise can enhance cardiorespiratory function in patients who have experienced coronary artery bypass surgery
	N = 11 (Control)	Cardiorespiratory function (peak oxygen uptake and peak work rate)