Practising Tai Chi can boost elderly people’s hearts, according to researchers from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the University of Illinois.  The research was funded by the University of Illinois.

Tai Chi is now hugely popular in the UK and practised for relieving stress, boosting health and increasingly helping with arthritis.

Tai Chi increases Elasticity of the arteries

The researchers found that the arteries became more elastic when people regularly practised Tai Chi and in addition, increased Knee strength.  With age the arteries tend to harden, which can cause an increase in blood pressure with all its problems of strokes and heart attacks.

What did the research comprise?

The people involved in the research had an average age of 78 and were already doing Tai Chi at least one and a half hours per week.  A further 36 people were also recruited from local centres who were active, but had no Tai Chi experience.

The Tai Chi group showed greater elasticity in their arteries and knee muscular strength.

The Tai Chi group had significantly lower blood pressure than the control group.

Elastic Arteries for Everyone?

Although the people taking part in the research were elderly, the same softening of the arteries through Tai Chi would also be the case for the young and middle age.  Damage to the cardiovascular system can begin in youth so Tai Chi practise at any age will be beneficial.

Tai Chi is Amazing

Arterial elasticity is yet another benefit from practising Tai Chi.  Add to this Tai Chi benefits to;
Stress, Anxiety, High Blood Pressure, Back Pain, Diabetes, Strengthening Immune System, Improved Sleep and so much more there can be little doubt Tai Chi is very effective for improving health generally.

An investment of just twenty minutes a day can pay such high dividends, for so little time spent doing it.

Have a great week

All the best

John Hine