Practising the ancient martial art of tai chi can boost elderly people's hearts, a study has found.
Older
subjects who regularly performed the traditional Chinese mind-body
exercise now enjoyed worldwide were less likely to suffer high blood
pressure and were physically stronger. Researchers
said a work-out which can achieve both good heart function and muscle
power 'would be a preferred mode of training' for this group of society.
Heart pulse measurements showed it
improved expansion and contraction of the arteries - known as arterial
compliance - and increased knee muscle strength.
A
number of studies have shown strength training to improve muscle
function and offset the effects of ageing have also been accompanied by a
decline in arterial compliance.
Tai
Chi could be a suitable exercise for older people to avoid this
problem, according to the findings published online in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.
Source - Daily Mail
