Tai Ji Quan,the brain,and cognition in older adults

The relationship between physical activity (PA) and cognition has received much attention recently. While evidence of improved cognition following PA has consistently been observed, the majority of studies have spotlighted aerobic exercise and the effects of other modes of PA, such as Tai Ji Quan, on cognition have received limited attention. This article provides a brief review of the literature concerning the influence of Tai Ji Quan on cognition in older adults, including those with intact cognition and those with cognitive impairment. In addition, this review proposes potential mechanisms (cardiovascular fitness, motor fitness, movement coordination, social interaction, and meditation statuses as well brain structure and function) evaluated from a neuroimaging perspective that may explain the Tai Ji Quan–cognition relationship. Finally, we present suggestions for future research. In conclusion, Tai Ji Quan, with its multi-faceted characteristics, shows promise as a mode of PA for enhancing cognition, as well as brain health, in older adults. Based on the findings in this review, further exploration of the effects of Tai Ji Quan on cognition in older adults is warranted.     

Transforming traditional Tai Ji Quan techniques into integrative movement therapy—Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance

Tai Ji Quan, developed as a martial art, has traditionally served multiple purposes, including self-defense, competition/performance, and health promotion. With respect to health, the benefits historically and anecdotally associated with Tai Ji Quan are now being supported by scientific and clinical research, with mounting evidence indicating its potential value in preventing and managing various diseases and improving well-being and quality of life in middle-aged and older adults. The research findings produced to date have both public health significance and clinical relevance. However, because of its roots in the martial arts, transforming traditional Tai Ji Quan movements and training approaches into contemporary therapeutic programs and functional applications is needed to maximize its ultimate utility. This paper addresses this issue by introducing Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance, a functional therapy that involves the use of Tai Ji Quan principles and Yang-style-based movements to form an innovative, contemporary therapeutic approach that integrates motor, sensory, and cognitive components to improve postural control, gait, and mobility for older adults and those who have neurodegenerative movement impairments. It provides a synergy of traditional and contemporary Tai Ji Quan practice with the ultimate goal of improving balance and gait, enhancing performance of daily functional tasks, and reducing incidence of falls among older adults.     

冲突与融合:国际版本学视角下“太极拳”一词的译介研究

采用文献资料调研、专家访谈和归纳推理等方法,对国内、外外文版太极拳图书中"太极拳"一词译介后的拼写形式进行研究。研究认为,汉语拼音译介加海外认知度较高的威妥玛拼音进行后缀是目前译介"太极拳"一词较为适宜的方法。研究同时认为,"太极拳"一词译介后的拼写形式无论是采用威妥玛拼音的历史延续性还是汉语拼音的本土文化声张,都归属于中西方文化的一种相互交流,而非中西方文化差异的各执一端。"太极拳"一词译介的探讨和研究旨在促进中西方文化的对话与交流,相互借鉴,共同提升自身的文化品格。     

不同太极拳训练水平人群起跳和着地动作稳定性分析

设计出能反映人体静态和动态平衡能力的动作,采用高精度测力台及测试分析专业软件,对不同太极拳训练水平人群的平衡能力进行测试分析,了解太极拳训练在提高人体平衡能力方面的效果,为进一步提高太极拳运动员控制平衡的能力,筛选影响人体平衡能力的敏感指标,完善测试评价体系,提出有效的训练手段提供参考。     

Tai Ji Quan: An overview of its history,health benefits,and cultural value

Tai Ji Quan is considered to be a part of traditional Chinese Wushu (a martial art) and comprises various styles that have evolved historically from the Chen, Yang, Wǔ, Wú, and Sun families (schools). Recent simplification of the original classic styles has made Tai Ji Quan easier to adopt in practice. Thus, the traditional legacy of using Tai Ji Quan for self-defense, mindful nurturing of well-being, and fitness enhancement has been expanded to more contemporary applications that focus on promoting physical and mental health, enhancing general well-being, preventing chronic diseases, and being an effective clinical intervention for diverse medical conditions. As the impact of Tai Ji Quan on physical performance and health continues to grow, there is a need to better understand its historical impact and current status. This paper provides an overview of the evolution of Tai Ji Quan in China, its functional utility, and the scientific evidence of its health benefits, as well as how it has been a vehicle for enhancing cultural understanding and exchanging between East and West.     

Implementing an evidence-based Tai Ji Quan program in a multicultural setting: A pilot dissemination project

Falls in older adults are a significant public health issue and a particularly significant health risk in Minnesota. With accumulating research evidence suggesting that falls can be prevented through exercise, there is an increased public health effort among organizations serving older adults to translate and disseminate evidence-based programs into the community. Such efforts, however, face additional challenges if they are implemented in communities with older adults from different cultural backgrounds and languages. This paper briefly describes a pilot community-based dissemination project, including the initiation, implementation, process, and outcomes, of an evidence-based fall prevention (Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance formerly known as Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance) through a local Area Agency on Aging in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area in Minnesota (USA). Overall, the program was successfully implemented resulting in adoption by local community organizations serving Asian and, to a lesser degree, East African non-English speaking older adults. Bilingual community instructors were trained to lead the classes resulting in broad participation and improved physical performance by the older adults targeted for the intervention. The results from this pilot study indicate that Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance can be implemented with positive results in non-English speaking community settings using bilingual leaders.     

太极拳对大学生身体机能影响的实验研究

通过对我校太极拳教学实验组和对照组教学前后的比较对照,就大学生学习太极拳,对呼吸系统和心血管系统等身体机能的影响进行实验研究,对研究结果分析后得出结论：大学生学习太极拳并持之以恒,同样能提高呼吸系统和心血系统等身体机能,促进身心健康,提高学习效果。     

虚实在太极拳中的运用

虚实是阴阳学说衍生出来的一个哲学范畴的概念,它时时刻刻存在于人们的生活之中,一切事物中无不含有虚实之变化。而富涵中国哲学思想的太极拳,始终贯穿着虚实变化之理。用虚实观考察太极拳拳理与拳法,进一步揭示虚实的辩证内涵及其在太极拳中的运用,对了解认识太极拳的本质特点     

So much research,so little application: Barriers to dissemination and practical implementation of Tai Ji Quan

Despite the large number of articles published in the medical literature advocating the use of Tai Ji Quan for a wide variety of health-related outcomes, there has been little systematic broad-scale implementation of these programs. It may be argued that the lack of funding from organizations capable of implementing and overseeing large-scale programs, such as governmental health agencies or national non-governmental organizations concerned with healthcare for older adults, is to blame. However, the evidence these organizations need to justify underwriting such programs is in short supply because of conflicting priorities and standards related to determining the efficacy and effectiveness of Tai Ji Quan. Establishing efficacy through acceptable designs such as randomized controlled trials involves strict protocols to ensure meaningful internal validity but different approaches are needed to demonstrate meaningful effectiveness (external validity) outside the study setting. By examining the quality, quantity, and relative proportions of the randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and dissemination studies reported in the medical literature, this paper highlights the disparity in emphasis between efficacy and effectiveness research that has impeded the development of a cohesive literature on Tai Ji Quan and concludes that until more researchers develop a systematic, long-range commitment to investigating its health-related benefits, the research related to Tai Ji Quan will remain fractured and sporadic, limiting the incentive of large funding agencies to support its wide-spread use.     

民国时期太极武术的盛行及其历史原因

民国时期，武术得到了较大的发展，太极武术盛行更是当时的一大突出现象。主要体现在：太极武术名家迭出，著述众多，太极武术组织涌现，活动普遍，太极武术形式多样，体系完善。这是太极武术在民国时期的自身发展与民国社会的普遍需求契合的结果。今天太极武术备受国内外垂青，也可以从中找到一定的历史原因。     

论形而上的太极拳文化传播

太极拳包含形而上和形而下两个部分,以太极阴阳理论为基础的形而上是太极拳的精髓.太极拳传播不仅仅是技术动作的传播,更是要在“理”、“法”、“术”、“功”传播中融入形而上的内涵,以生命哲学的方式来看待和理解太极拳,才能体现太极拳的养气、守意、平心、练性和厚德之本意,使得太极拳得以发扬光大.     

Tai Ji Quan as an exercise modality to prevent and manage cardiovascular disease: A review

BackgroundRegular exercise is beneficial for adults with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CVD risk factors. Tai Ji Quan is popular among older adults and may offer additional exercise options. The present article aims to review the scientific literature published within the past decade on Tai Ji Quan as an exercise modality to prevent and manage CVD.MethodsAn electronic literature search of four databases (PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and AMED) was conducted from April 2003 through March 2013. Studies that examined Tai Ji Quan, were published in English, and specified a target study population of participants with a known CVD condition (e.g., coronary artery disease, chronic heart failure, or stroke) or studies conducted among participants with a CVD risk factor (e.g., hypertension, dyslipidemia, or impaired glucose metabolism) were included.ResultsA total of 20 studies met the inclusion criteria: 11 randomized clinical trials, seven quasi-experimental studies and two cross-sectional studies. The effect of Tai Ji Quan was examined on more than 20 different study variables among persons with coronary artery disease (n = 5 studies), chronic heart failure (n = 5 studies), stroke (n = 4 studies), and CVD risk factors (n = 6 studies). These studies were conducted primarily in Asia (n = 9, 45%) or the United States (n = 8, 40%). Overall, participants enrolled in Tai Ji Quan had better outcomes, though mixed results were reported.ConclusionCollectively, these studies indicate that Tai Ji Quan is a safe form of exercise to prevent and manage CVD. Further research is needed with more rigorous study designs, larger sample sizes, adequate Tai Ji Quan exercise doses, and carefully chosen outcome measures that assess the mechanisms as well as the effects of Tai Ji Quan, before widespread recommendations can be made.     

形意拳运动员体能特征研究

体能在形意拳运动员练习和比赛中占有重要地位。体能是竞技能力的基础,一切运动训练都是建立在具备基本体能基础之上。当前许多高水平的训练,都把体能训练作为专项训练的基础,认为它是专项训练的基础和保证。科学的体能训练对提高运动员的竞技能力和在比赛中取得优异的运动成绩有看十分重要的意义。文章通过对形意拳运动员的体能特征进行分析,总结出提高运动员体能的建议,为运动员进行体能训练提供一定的借鉴。     

人口老龄化与体育活动

为了提高老年群体的健康水平以应对人口老龄化,采用文献资料法论述了体育活动与老年人健康的关系,提出了增加老年人体育活动水平的对策：加大健康教育宣传力度,帮助老年人建立体育生活方式、依托社区开展体育活动,帮助老年人在社区形成健康的行为、加强老年健身的科学指导和研究、制定有利于体育活动的公共政策,为老年人健身提供政策和环境的支持。     

体育教学中如何培养学生的自我锻炼能力

培养学生的自我锻炼能力是体育教学改革的一个主要课题,是培养学生良好的锻炼习惯,对提高课堂教学效果,培养学生自我锻炼能力,促进学生身心健康地发展有着重要的意义。     

身体素质教学初探

在普通高校教学改革中,结合本校实际,对“大一”学生普通体育教学进行了改革尝试。提出身体素质教学方案并制定一系列措施。实践表明身体素质教学目的性明确,具有较强的针对性。同时,对教师在教学上的组织与管理亦提出新的、更高要求。