| Peer-Reviewed

Effect of Tai Chi and Yoga Training on Oxidative Status, Physical Performance, and Cognitive Function of Military Personnel

Received: 20 September 2022     Accepted: 8 October 2022     Published: 18 October 2022
Views:       Downloads:
Abstract

Yoga, a long-established Indian philosophical system, tries to bring harmony and wellness to the physical, mental, and emotional dimensions. Tai Chi is a traditional Chinese exercise of moderate intensity. They are widely used in modern society to reduce oxidative biological alterations and enhance physical and mental performance. The main objective was to evaluate the effect of Tai Chi and Yoga exercises on oxidative stress measures, physical performance, and cognitive function of military personnel. It was a field-based pragmatic randomized control study. Military medical officers who were taking a refresher course for Military Medical Training from February to March 2020 comprised mainly 81 voluntary participants. They were divided into three groups in equal chance, with each receiving six weeks of regular, Tai Chi, and Yoga training. Blood samples were obtained before and following the six-week interventions, and measurements of the serum nitric oxide (NO) and oxidative stress index (OSI) were taken. Then assessments of cognitive function and physical fitness were conducted. Significant reductions of OSI from 0.61 ± 0.14 AU to 0.32 ± 0.12 AU (p < 0.01) was found in the Tai Chi group and the effect of Tai Chi on OSI level reduction was found more prominently over Yoga effects, although there were no remarkable differences in NO level among them. For physical fitness test, parameters of Yoga group (Body fat percent: 20.87 ± 3.62 to 19.84 ± 3.53; Sit and Reach test: 2.00 ± 1.78 to 2.89 ± 1.70 (times/minute); Crunch test: 34.07 ± 8.94 to 37.21 ± 11.89 (times/minute) were improved significantly (p < 0.05). In the Tai Chi group, improvements were seen in Sit and Reach test: 2.11 ± 1.66 to 2.89 ± 2.04 (times/minute); and Crunch test: 31.81 ± 7.49 to 37.85 ± 8.83 (times/minute), (p < 0.05). As for the cognitive function test, there were no significant changes in all groups. According to the study’s outcomes, Yoga training is generally superior to Tai Chi training in terms of areas of physical fitness testing. It can be concluded that a six-week Tai Chi and Yoga exercise program has beneficial effects on antioxidant capacity and oxidative stress measurements. While the practice of Tai Chi generates a more intense antioxidant impact, Yoga produces a greater improvement in physical fitness effect.

Published in Biomedical Sciences (Volume 8, Issue 4)
DOI 10.11648/j.bs.20220804.12
Page(s) 119-125
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Tai Chi, Yoga, Oxidative Stress Index (OSI), Nitric Oxide (NO), Physical Performance, Cognitive Function

References
[1] Rosado-Pérez, J., Ortiz, R., Santiago-Osorio, E., & Mendoza-Núñez, V. M. (2013). Effect of Tai Chi versus walking on oxidative stress in Mexican older adults. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2013.
[2] Chang, T.-C. (2014). The effect of short-term yoga and Tai-Chi education exercise on antioxidant capacity and oxidative stress measures. Studies on Ethno-Medicine, 8 (1), 7–14.
[3] Tsang, H. W., Chan, E. P., & Cheung, W. (2008). Effects of mindful and non‐mindful exercises on people with depression: a systematic review. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 47 (3), 303–322.
[4] Palasuwan, A., Suksom, D., Margaritis, I., Soogarun, S., & Rousseau, A.-S. (2011). Effects of tai chi training on antioxidant capacity in pre-and postmenopausal women. Journal of aging research, 2011.
[5] Blake, H., & Hawley, H. (2012). Effects of Tai Chi exercise on physical and psychological health of older people. Current Aging Science, 5 (1), 19–27.
[6] Chambers, S. (n.d.). Indoor or outdoor Single-person meditation, yoga and tai chi room. Bonus: the room is also an infra-red sauna. The chambers are the third phase of a three phase hospital culture transition program built by Dr. Kim Byrd-Rider but can be used for homes or other types of workplaces. Below is part of a 42-page literature review written by Dr. Kim Byrd-Rider for Harvard University: Mind, Body, Health and Education. Please read further to find out how the chambers are used to change your workplace culture.
[7] Lu, X., Siu, K.-C., Fu, S. N., Hui-Chan, C. W., & Tsang, W. W. (2016). Effects of Tai Chi training on postural control and cognitive performance while dual tasking–a randomized clinical trial. Journal of complementary and integrative medicine, 13 (2), 181–187.
[8] Ross, A., & Thomas, S. (2010). The health benefits of yoga and exercise: a review of comparison studies. The journal of alternative and complementary medicine, 16 (1), 3–12.
[9] Rocha, K. K. F., Ribeiro, A., Rocha, K., Sousa, M. B. C. de, Albuquerque, F., Ribeiro, S., & Silva, R. (2012). Improvement in physiological and psychological parameters after 6 months of yoga practice. Consciousness and cognition, 21 (2), 843–850.
[10] D’souza, C., & Avadhany, S. T. (2014). Effects of yoga training and detraining on physical performance measures in prepubertal children--a randomized trial. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol, 58 (1), 61–8.
[11] Powers, S. K., Ji, L. L., Kavazis, A. N., & Jackson, M. J. (2011). Reactive oxygen species: impact on skeletal muscle. Comprehensive Physiology, 1 (2), 941.
[12] Dessy, C., & Feron, O. (2004). Pathophysiological roles of nitric oxide: in the heart and the coronary vasculature. Current Medicinal Chemistry-Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents, 3 (3), 207–216.
[13] Venkataraman, K., Khurana, S., & Tai, T. (2013). Oxidative stress in aging-matters of the heart and mind. International journal of molecular sciences, 14 (9), 17897–17925.
[14] Birben, E., Sahiner, U. M., Sackesen, C., Erzurum, S., & Kalayci, O. (2012). Oxidative stress and antioxidant defense. World allergy organization journal, 5 (1), 9–19.
[15] Wu, J. Q., Kosten, T. R., & Zhang, X. Y. (2013). Free radicals, antioxidant defense systems, and schizophrenia. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, 46, 200–206.
[16] Salisbury, D., & Bronas, U. (2015). Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species: impact on endothelial dysfunction. Nursing research, 64 (1), 53–66.
[17] Liguori, I., Russo, G., Curcio, F., Bulli, G., Aran, L., Della-Morte, D. Bonaduce, D. (2018). Oxidative stress, aging, and diseases. Clinical interventions in aging, 13, 757.
[18] Chatterjee, S. (2016). Oxidative stress, inflammation, and disease. In Oxidative stress and biomaterials (pp. 35–58). Elsevier.
[19] Pullen, P. R., Seffens, W. S., & Thompson, W. R. (2018). Yoga for heart failure: a review and future research. International journal of yoga, 11 (2), 91.
[20] Kong, J., Wilson, G., Park, J., Pereira, K., Walpole, C., & Yeung, A. (2019). Treating depression with Tai Chi: state of the art and future perspectives. Frontiers in psychiatry, 237.
[21] Janelsins, M. C., Davis, P. G., Wideman, L., Katula, J. A., Sprod, L. K., Peppone, L. J., … Morrow, G. R. (2011). Effects of Tai Chi Chuan on insulin and cytokine levels in a randomized controlled pilot study on breast cancer survivors. Clinical breast cancer, 11 (3), 161–170.
[22] Johnston, G., & Webster, N. (2009). Cytokines and the immunomodulatory function of the vagus nerve. British journal of anaesthesia, 102 (4), 453–462.
[23] Erel, O. (2005). A new automated colorimetric method for measuring total oxidant status. Clinical biochemistry, 38 (12), 1103–1111.
[24] Niu, A. (2016). Effect of “Tai Chi” exercise on antioxidant enzymes activities and immunity function in middle-aged participants. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines, 13 (5), 87–90.
[25] Vandavasi, M., Sreehari, P., & Sukumar, C. D. (2016). Effect of yoga on Free radical and Antioxidant status in Healthy Adults. J Cont Med A Dent, 4 (1), 50–53.
[26] Nguyen, H. M., & Dai Nguyen, D. (2014). Tai Chi for Subjectively Perceived Health of the Elderly. MH, 61 (13.45), 61–33.
[27] Song, R., Lee, E.-O., Lam, P., & Bae, S.-C. (2003). Effects of tai chi exercise on pain, balance, muscle strength, and perceived difficulties in physical functioning in older women with osteoarthritis: a randomized clinical trial. The Journal of Rheumatology, 30 (9), 2039–2044.
[28] Bharshankar, J. R., Bharshankar, R. N., Deshpande, V. N., Kaore, S. B., & Gosavi, G. B. (2003). Effect of yoga on cardiovascular system in subjects above 40 years. Indian journal of physiology and pharmacology, 47 (2), 202–206.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Mo Mo Than, Khin Nwe Kyi, Khine Kyaw Oo, Phyo Thaw Htun, Yan Naing Soe, et al. (2022). Effect of Tai Chi and Yoga Training on Oxidative Status, Physical Performance, and Cognitive Function of Military Personnel. Biomedical Sciences, 8(4), 119-125. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.bs.20220804.12

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Mo Mo Than; Khin Nwe Kyi; Khine Kyaw Oo; Phyo Thaw Htun; Yan Naing Soe, et al. Effect of Tai Chi and Yoga Training on Oxidative Status, Physical Performance, and Cognitive Function of Military Personnel. Biomed. Sci. 2022, 8(4), 119-125. doi: 10.11648/j.bs.20220804.12

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Mo Mo Than, Khin Nwe Kyi, Khine Kyaw Oo, Phyo Thaw Htun, Yan Naing Soe, et al. Effect of Tai Chi and Yoga Training on Oxidative Status, Physical Performance, and Cognitive Function of Military Personnel. Biomed Sci. 2022;8(4):119-125. doi: 10.11648/j.bs.20220804.12

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.bs.20220804.12,
      author = {Mo Mo Than and Khin Nwe Kyi and Khine Kyaw Oo and Phyo Thaw Htun and Yan Naing Soe and Paing Khant Kyaw and Kaung Su Lin and Min Thein and Ye Myat Kyaw and Khun Zaw and Zaw Min Thein and Zaw Min Htut and Kyaw Myo Htun and Thet Naing and Ko Ko Lwin},
      title = {Effect of Tai Chi and Yoga Training on Oxidative Status, Physical Performance, and Cognitive Function of Military Personnel},
      journal = {Biomedical Sciences},
      volume = {8},
      number = {4},
      pages = {119-125},
      doi = {10.11648/j.bs.20220804.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.bs.20220804.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.bs.20220804.12},
      abstract = {Yoga, a long-established Indian philosophical system, tries to bring harmony and wellness to the physical, mental, and emotional dimensions. Tai Chi is a traditional Chinese exercise of moderate intensity. They are widely used in modern society to reduce oxidative biological alterations and enhance physical and mental performance. The main objective was to evaluate the effect of Tai Chi and Yoga exercises on oxidative stress measures, physical performance, and cognitive function of military personnel. It was a field-based pragmatic randomized control study. Military medical officers who were taking a refresher course for Military Medical Training from February to March 2020 comprised mainly 81 voluntary participants. They were divided into three groups in equal chance, with each receiving six weeks of regular, Tai Chi, and Yoga training. Blood samples were obtained before and following the six-week interventions, and measurements of the serum nitric oxide (NO) and oxidative stress index (OSI) were taken. Then assessments of cognitive function and physical fitness were conducted. Significant reductions of OSI from 0.61 ± 0.14 AU to 0.32 ± 0.12 AU (p p p < 0.05). As for the cognitive function test, there were no significant changes in all groups. According to the study’s outcomes, Yoga training is generally superior to Tai Chi training in terms of areas of physical fitness testing. It can be concluded that a six-week Tai Chi and Yoga exercise program has beneficial effects on antioxidant capacity and oxidative stress measurements. While the practice of Tai Chi generates a more intense antioxidant impact, Yoga produces a greater improvement in physical fitness effect.},
     year = {2022}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Effect of Tai Chi and Yoga Training on Oxidative Status, Physical Performance, and Cognitive Function of Military Personnel
    AU  - Mo Mo Than
    AU  - Khin Nwe Kyi
    AU  - Khine Kyaw Oo
    AU  - Phyo Thaw Htun
    AU  - Yan Naing Soe
    AU  - Paing Khant Kyaw
    AU  - Kaung Su Lin
    AU  - Min Thein
    AU  - Ye Myat Kyaw
    AU  - Khun Zaw
    AU  - Zaw Min Thein
    AU  - Zaw Min Htut
    AU  - Kyaw Myo Htun
    AU  - Thet Naing
    AU  - Ko Ko Lwin
    Y1  - 2022/10/18
    PY  - 2022
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.bs.20220804.12
    DO  - 10.11648/j.bs.20220804.12
    T2  - Biomedical Sciences
    JF  - Biomedical Sciences
    JO  - Biomedical Sciences
    SP  - 119
    EP  - 125
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2575-3932
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.bs.20220804.12
    AB  - Yoga, a long-established Indian philosophical system, tries to bring harmony and wellness to the physical, mental, and emotional dimensions. Tai Chi is a traditional Chinese exercise of moderate intensity. They are widely used in modern society to reduce oxidative biological alterations and enhance physical and mental performance. The main objective was to evaluate the effect of Tai Chi and Yoga exercises on oxidative stress measures, physical performance, and cognitive function of military personnel. It was a field-based pragmatic randomized control study. Military medical officers who were taking a refresher course for Military Medical Training from February to March 2020 comprised mainly 81 voluntary participants. They were divided into three groups in equal chance, with each receiving six weeks of regular, Tai Chi, and Yoga training. Blood samples were obtained before and following the six-week interventions, and measurements of the serum nitric oxide (NO) and oxidative stress index (OSI) were taken. Then assessments of cognitive function and physical fitness were conducted. Significant reductions of OSI from 0.61 ± 0.14 AU to 0.32 ± 0.12 AU (p p p < 0.05). As for the cognitive function test, there were no significant changes in all groups. According to the study’s outcomes, Yoga training is generally superior to Tai Chi training in terms of areas of physical fitness testing. It can be concluded that a six-week Tai Chi and Yoga exercise program has beneficial effects on antioxidant capacity and oxidative stress measurements. While the practice of Tai Chi generates a more intense antioxidant impact, Yoga produces a greater improvement in physical fitness effect.
    VL  - 8
    IS  - 4
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

Author Information
  • Department of Biochemistry, Defence Services Medical Academy, Yangon, Myanmar

  • Department of Physiology, Defence Services Medical Academy, Yangon, Myanmar

  • Department of Biochemistry, Defence Services Medical Academy, Yangon, Myanmar

  • Department of Biochemistry, Defence Services Medical Academy, Yangon, Myanmar

  • Department of Biochemistry, Defence Services Medical Academy, Yangon, Myanmar

  • Department of Physiology, Defence Services Medical Academy, Yangon, Myanmar

  • Department of Physiology, Defence Services Medical Academy, Yangon, Myanmar

  • Department of Biochemistry, Defence Services Medical Academy, Yangon, Myanmar

  • Department of Biochemistry, Defence Services Medical Academy, Yangon, Myanmar

  • Department of Physiology, Defence Services Medical Academy, Yangon, Myanmar

  • Department of Biochemistry, Defence Services Medical Academy, Yangon, Myanmar

  • Department of Biochemistry, Defence Services Medical Academy, Yangon, Myanmar

  • Directorate of Medical Services, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar

  • No. (1) Defence Services General Hospital (1000 Bedded), Yangon, Myanmar

  • Directorate of Medical Services, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar

  • Sections