초록 |
Purpose: This study was to examine the effects of 12-week Tai Chi exercise on the autonomic nervous system activity and risk factors of metabolic syndrome in patients with metabolic syndrome. Methods: A single group pre-posttest was used. Subjects were 16 participants aged 51~71 years with metabolic syndrome. All of the subjects were met the criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III). The Tai Chi exercise consisted of 19 movements from Yang and Sun styles provided twice a week for 3 months. Metabolic syndrome risk factors including waist circumference, blood pressure, glucose, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol) were measured. A heart rate variability device was used to measure the activity of autonomic nervous system. Results: After 12-week Tai Chi exercise, systolic pressure, waist circumference, and HDL-cholesterol improved significantly. Tai Chi exercise had no effect on the autonomic nervous system activity. Conclusion: The 12-week Tai Chi exercise was partially effective in managing risk factors of metabolic syndrome. A larger study with longer period to improve the autonomic nervous system activity in patients with metabolic syndrome is needed. |