Effects of tai chi and metabolic syndrome and glycemic control

In this pilot study at the Unversity of Queensland, Australia in 2008, 11 adults with elevated blood glucose attended tai chi and chi gung (qigong) classes 3 times per week for 12 weeks.

Study Indicators

Seven indicators of metabolic syndrome were tracked before and after the participants practiced Tai Chi:

1. Body mass index
2. Waist circumference
3. Blood pressure
4. Fasting blood glucose
5. Triglycerides
6. HDL-cholesterol, and
   
7. Indicators of glucose control – A1C, fasting insulin and insulin resistance

Results

There were significant improvements in body mass index, waist circumference and blood pressure. There were also improvements in HbA1c, fasting insulin and insulin resistance.

View Abstract.