The Positive Role of Tai Chi in Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Author: Suodi Xu1, Julien S Baker2, Feng Ren3
Affiliation:
1 Department of Physical Education, Ningbo University of Finance and Economics, Ningbo 315175, China.
2 Centre for Health and Exercise Science Research, Department of Sport, Physical Education and Health, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong 999077, China.
3 Faculty of Sports Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China.
Conference/Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health
Date published: 2021 Jul 13
Other:
Volume ID: 18 , Issue ID: 14 , Pages: 7479 , Special Notes: doi: 10.3390/ijerph18147479. , Word Count: 198
The ongoing coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has posed a significant threat to both people's physical and mental health. Physical inactivity, sedentary behavior, and negative emotions among the general population have been significantly increased because of COVID-19 home confinement. These are major risk factors associated with higher incidences of morbidity and mortality. Therefore, effective exercise management should be proposed as a prevention strategy to improve both physical and mental health while diminishing the effects of COVID-19. Tai Chi as a low-to-moderate aerobic exercise combines physical and mental training and plays a positive impact on human health. Here we aim to outline the effects of Tai Chi on the immune system, inflammatory responses, pulmonary function, and emotional control. The benefits of Tai Chi practice for individuals coping with COVID-19 are stated here which include immune system promotion, inflammation response reduction, rehabilitation in respiratory diseases, and emotional improvement. This statement has been supported by available clinical, physiological, and biological research. As a result, we hope to introduce Tai Chi as an effective exercise intervention for people coping with COVID-19 and as a beneficial exercise for maintaining an active lifestyle during a pandemic.
Keywords: COVID-19; Tai Chi; exercise intervention; pandemic.
PMID: 34299925 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18147479
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