title: Effects of tai chi training on antioxidant capacity in pre- and postmenopausal women.
abstract: The risk of oxidative stress-related metabolic diseases increases with menopause and physical inactivity. We hypothesized that an 8-week Tai Chi (TC) training program (2 sessions in class; 2 sessions at home; 1-1:15/session) would improve antioxidant capacity and reduce cardiovascular risks in both pre- (n = 8) and postmenopausal (n = 7) sedentary women. Selected measures of physical fitness and blood parameters were analyzed before and after the program. Besides the well-known effects of TC on balance, flexibility, and maximum leg extensor strength, TC (1) increased erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity-an aerobic training-responsive antioxidant enzyme-and plasma total antioxidant status and (2) decreased plasma total homocysteine, a cardiovascular risk marker. In addition to being a low-velocity, low-impact, and relatively safe, TC is a suitable physical activity design for pre- and postmenopausal women to increase antioxidant defenses. Investigating breathing effects during TC movements would be an interesting area for further research in diseases prevention.
authors.affiliation: Faculté des Sciences du Sport, Université de Nice Sophia-Antipolis, 261 Route de Grenoble, 06205 Nice, France.
authors.forename: Attakorn
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Palasuwan
authors.forename: Daroonwan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Suksom
authors.forename: Irène
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Margaritis
authors.forename: Suphan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Soogarun
authors.forename: Anne-Sophie
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Rousseau