Lai Hung-Min, Liu Mark Shui-Yu, Lin Ting-Ju, Tsai Ying-Lan, Chien Eileen Jea
Graduate Institute of Athletic Training and Health, National Taiwan Sports University, Taoyuan 33301, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Institute of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Chin J Physiol. 2017 Apr 30;60(2):124-130. doi: 10.4077/CJP.2017.BAF454.
Tai Chi has many benefits for middle-aged/older individuals including improvements to muscle strength and various body lipid components. DHEAS and testosterone have anti-obesity/anti-aging characteristics and also improve libido, vitality and immunity levels. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the differences between middle-aged Tai Chi practitioners (n = 17) and sedentary individuals (n = 17) in terms of leg strength, blood levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, as well as DHEAS, testosterone and cortisol. Unpaired t-tests were used to identify significant differences between the two groups. There were no significant differences in body composition, leg strength, blood lipid components and testosterone. However, the Tai Chi practitioners had higher levels of DHEAS (P < 0.01) and lower levels of cortisol (P < 0.05). Thus, Tai Chi practitioners have a higher ratio of DHEAS to cortisol, which might have potential benefits in terms of improving an individual’s health-related quality of life during the aging.
太极拳对中老年人有诸多益处，包括增强肌肉力量以及改善多种身体脂质成分。硫酸脱氢表雄酮（DHEAS）和睾酮具有抗肥胖/抗衰老特性，还能提高性欲、活力和免疫力水平。因此，本研究的目的是调查中年太极拳练习者（n = 17）和久坐不动者（n = 17）在腿部力量、血液中胆固醇、甘油三酯、高密度脂蛋白（HDL）水平，以及DHEAS、睾酮和皮质醇方面的差异。采用非配对t检验来确定两组之间的显著差异。两组在身体成分、腿部力量、血脂成分和睾酮方面无显著差异。然而，太极拳练习者的DHEAS水平较高（P < 0.01），皮质醇水平较低（P < 0.05）。因此，太极拳练习者的DHEAS与皮质醇比值更高，这可能在改善个体衰老过程中与健康相关的生活质量方面具有潜在益处。
