The effect of Tai Chi on cardiorespiratory function in patients with coronary artery bypass surgery.
OBJECTIVE
This study prospectively evaluated the training effect of a 1-yr Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) program for low-risk patients with coronary artery bypass surgery (CABS) after a postoperative outpatient (phase II) cardiac rehabilitation program.


METHODS
Twenty patients with mean age of 56.5+/-7.4 yr completed this study. The TCC group included nine men who practiced classical Yang TCC with an exercise intensity of 48-57% heart rate range (HRR). The control group included 11 men whom were recommended to do a home-based self-adjusted exercise program with similar intensity of phase II cardiac rehabilitation. Graded exercise tests were performed before and after 1 yr of training for all subjects.


RESULTS
Mean attendance of the TCC group was 3.8+/-1.5 times weekly in contrast to 1.7+/-1.1 times for the control group. During the follow-up examination, the TCC group increased 10.3% in VO2peak (from 26.2+/-4.4 to 28.9+/-5.0 mL x kg(-1) min(-1), P<0.01) and increased 11.9% in peak work rate (from 135+/-26 W to 151+/-28 W, P<0.01). However, the control group showed slight decrease in VO2peak from 26.0+/-3.9 to 25.6+/-4.6 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1) and in peak work rate from 131+/-23 W to 128+/-32 W. At the ventilatory threshold, the TCC group also showed significant increase in VO2 and work rate (P<0.05). The control group did not significantly change in these variables.


CONCLUSIONS
The study demonstrated that a 1-yr TCC program for low-risk patients with CABS could favorably enhance cardiorespiratory function.
Lan
C
C
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei. chinglan@tpts5.seed.net.tw
Chen
S Y
SY
Lai
J S
JS
Wong
M K
MK
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D005080:Exercise Test; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016139:Martial Arts; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012119:Respiration