Image Credit: Google

In a recent clinical trial, Tai chi, a gentle Chinese martial art involving slow movements, outperformed moderate aerobic exercise in lowering blood pressure.

Image Credit: Google

A study, released in JAMA Network Open, followed a cohort of 342 individuals aged 18 to 65 with prehypertension (slightly elevated blood pressure) from late July 2019 to mid-January 2022.

Image Credit: Google

Individuals were enlisted from two hospitals in Beijing, with 169 of them allocated to an aerobic exercise program, comprising four 60-minute sessions per week of moderate activities such as brisk walking or stair climbing. 

Image Credit: Google

The remaining 173 participants were instructed in tai chi through group sessions and subsequently tasked with practicing it at home for four 60-minute weekly sessions.

Image Credit: Google

During the duration of the research, the participants were regularly monitored through telephone communication, provided with health education, and encouraged to adhere to the low-fat DASH diet. 

Image Credit: Google

This dietary regimen prioritizes the consumption of fruits and vegetables and was specifically designed to enhance heart health, with "DASH" representing Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. Researchers checked participants’ blood pressure, weight, and other measures at six months and one year.

Image Credit: Google

Despite similar levels of adherence to the program and no significant discrepancies in waist circumference, weight, or body mass index among the groups, disparities emerged in their blood pressure readings after a year. 

Image Credit: Google

Individuals in the tai chi group experienced an average decrease of 7.01 systolic blood pressure points over the 12 months, compared to a 4.61-point reduction observed in those engaged in aerobic exercise. Both groups experienced a decline in diastolic blood pressure over time, though the contrast between them did not achieve statistical significance.

Image Credit: Google

At the outset of the study, participants in both groups exhibited blood pressure readings outside the optimal range, indicating a heightened risk of hypertension. By the conclusion of the trial, 21.8 percent of individuals practicing tai chi had achieved blood pressure levels within the desirable range, as opposed to 15.6 percent of those engaged in aerobic exercise.

Image Credit: Google

The researchers assert, "These findings underscore the significant public health benefits of Tai Chi in mitigating the risk of cardiovascular disease among individuals with prehypertension." Ongoing research delves into the potential advantages of tai chi, which include enhanced balance, reduced risk of falls, and potential therapeutic benefits for conditions like arthritis and fibromyalgia.