Effects of tai chi exercises

• Main Author: Zhang, Yuxi.
• Other Authors: Siew Chee Kheong, David
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Electrical and electronic engineering::Electronic systems::Biometrics
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/49767
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Tai Chi, or also called ‘Tai Chi Chuan’, originated in China about six hundreds years ago as a martial art, has slowly become a widely popular physical exercise due to known health benefits. Tai Chi practitioners believe that ‘Qi’ – the vital life energy, is generated by this body-mind exercise. However, due to lack of scientific definition for Qi, it remains more as an art than a science. In this paper, we investigate the scientific basis for Tai Chi to produce such interesting health benefits. Electrical acupuncture point measurements conducted before and after Tai Chi, showed significant conductance variation. The results show that Tai Chi increases the conductance of the body, similar to those of healthy youngsters. Scientifically, electrification of the blood helps remove bacteria and pathogens present. Using results from relevant western clinic research and combining our observations during Tai Chi exercise, we propose a new theory that explains the beneficial effects of the mind-body exercise.