@article{Lyu_Zhang_Yuan_Chen_Gao_Li_Li_Song_Wang_Cui_Wei_2020, title={Measurement and Evaluation of Energy Metabolism of Bafa-Wubu Tai Chi}, volume={1}, url={http://ischp.org/journal/index.php/jischp/article/view/3}, abstractNote={<h3><strong>Abstract</strong></h3> <p><strong>Background</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Bafa Wubu of Tai Chi (Eight Elements and Five Steps) is a novel tai chi form recently developed with the General Administration of Sport of China in order to promote Tai Chi in China and abroad. While this form has already been taught to thousands, no studies have been previously reported on its exercise physiology.</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Objectives</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To reveal the characteristics of respiration and energy metabolism of the Bafa Wubu of Tai Chi and lay a theoretical foundation for further scientific research on Tai Chi practice.&nbsp;</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Methods</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">First, the baseline maximal exercise capacity of all the participants was measured. Then they received Bafa Wubu of Tai Chi training for three weeks to ensure that they gained proficiency.&nbsp; All participants then performed a single iteration of the Bafa Wubu Tai Chi form while their energy metabolism was measured dynamically, including maximal oxygen uptake (VO</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">2</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">max), oxygen uptake/kg (VO</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">2</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">/kg), metabolic equivalent (METs), heart rate (HR), respiratory quotient (RQ), tidal volume(TV), respiratory frequency, blood pressure, oxygen saturation and rate of perceived exertion (RPE).</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Results</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">106 healthy individuals were recruited. After the 3-week practice, 100 (94%) individuals passed the assessment and were invited to participate in the physiologic testing. Prior to completing the study, 5 (5%) subjects withdrew. The 95 subjects who completed the study consisted of 63 men (aged 39.7 years±9.8) and 32 women (aged 36.9 years±11.1).</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A single iteration of the Bafa Wubu Tai Chi form required approximately 3 minutes. During practice of Tai Chi, the average VO</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">2</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> for men was 0.72±0.16 (L/min), which was 26.17% ±6.77% of VO</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">2</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">max; the average VO</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">2</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> for women was 0.67±0.19 (L/min), which was 30.25%±5.76% of VO</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">2</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">max. Immediately after Bafa Wubu of Tai Chi exercise, SP increased by 17.3% (p&lt;0.01) ; HR increased by 53.2% (p&lt;0.01); and RPE increased by 76.4% (p&lt;0.01); but there were no significant differences in DP and SpO</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">2</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">, P=0.489, P=0.312. (3) The average METs was 2.21±0.44 METs, the average VO</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">2</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">/kg was 13.81 ±4.24 ml/kg/min, the average HR was 104±16times /min, the average RQ was 0.80±0.08, the average respiratory frequency was 24 ±4 times / min; The average TV was 0.83 ±0.21L.</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Conclusion</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Bafa Wubu of Tai Chi is a low intensity aerobic exercise, and energy consumption is mainly from the oxidation of fat. The Bafa Wubu of Tai Chi improves cardiopulmonary function demonstrated by improvement of pulmonary ventilatory function through increase of tidal volume&nbsp; during&nbsp; exercise.</span></p>}, number={1}, journal={The Journal of the International Society of Chinese Health Practices}, author={Lyu, Shaojun and Zhang, Jianwei and Yuan, Wen and Chen, Zaihao and Gao, Tianming and Li, Yameng and Li, Cuihan and Song, Bo and Wang, Hongwei and Cui, Meize and Wei, Qiuyang}, year={2020}, month={Jun.} }