title: Energy expenditure and cardiovascular responses to Tai Chi Easy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cardiorespiratory response and energy expenditure during the practice of Tai Chi Easy (TCE). TCE has been proposed as a low-intensity alternative to traditional physical activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Oxygen cost data were collected from 10 healthy adult women (mean age of 47.9 ± 12.8 years) at rest and during a 30-min session of TCE using an automated metabolic cart and heart rate (HR) telemetry. The Borg rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale was utilized to measure subjective intensity of the TCE movements.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean oxygen consumption (VO(2)) for the movements ranged from 4.3 ml kg(-1)min(-1) to 5.5 ml kg(-1)min(-1) with an overall mean of 5.0 ml kg(-1)min(-1). The mean HR for all activity was 67.0 beats per minute and the mean energy expenditure (EE) was 1.6 Kcal min(-1).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cardiorespiratory and EE responses to TCE indicate that this a low intensity exercise appropriate for individuals requiring activity prescriptions of approximately 2 metabolic equivalents (METs).
authors.affiliation: Arizona State University, Healthy Lifestyles Research Center, School of Nutrition and Health Promotion, Phoenix, AZ, United States. Electronic address: llsmith6@asu.edu.
authors.forename: Lisa L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Arizona State University, Healthy Lifestyles Research Center, School of Nutrition and Health Promotion, Phoenix, AZ, United States.
authors.forename: Sarah J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Wherry
authors.affiliation: Arizona State University, College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Phoenix, AZ, United States.
authors.forename: Linda K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Larkey
authors.affiliation: Arizona State University, Healthy Lifestyles Research Center, School of Nutrition and Health Promotion, Phoenix, AZ, United States.
authors.forename: Barbara E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Ainsworth
authors.affiliation: Arizona State University, Healthy Lifestyles Research Center, School of Nutrition and Health Promotion, Phoenix, AZ, United States.
authors.forename: Pamela D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Swan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D026302:Tai Ji
keywords: Cardiovascular responses; Energy expenditure; Physical activity; Tai Chi Easy