LAST month, the British Journal of Sports Medicine published two studies - one from Australia and another from Taiwan - that positively linked the ancient art of tai chi to type II diabetes markers.

In the first study, researchers from the University of Queensland recruited 11 middle-aged subjects with high blood glucose. For 12 weeks, the subjects practised tai chi combined with qigong (a Chinese breathing and slow movement technique) for an hour or more, three times a week.

Researchers reported " significant improvements in four of the seven indicators of metabolic syndrome including body mass index, waist circumference, and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure."

The metabolic syndrome is a set of symptoms that creates a high risk of heart disease and type II diabetes.

There were other "side effects". The Queensland team noted that subjects lost an average of three kilos with improvements in fasting insulin and insulin resistance.
In the second study, 30 patients with type II diabetes and 30 healthy subjects took part in a tai chi programme for 12 weeks. The study was done by researchers at the Chang Gung Institute of Technology, Taiwan.

Subjects in the diabetic group significantly lowered levels of HbA1c -- an important hyperglycemia marker that is not affected by daily fluctuations of blood glucose. In addition, a rise in a key immune system marker indicated improvement in overall immune response.

In 2003, a Korean study examined a specific style of tai chi that was developed to improve physical functioning in arthritis patients. For three months, 22 women with osteoarthritis participated in the tai chi programme.

Their progress was compared to 21 women who also had osteoarthritis, fit the same demographic profile of the tai chi group, but didn't participate in the exercises. Tai chi subjects experienced less pain and stiffness and reported fewer difficulties performing daily functions compared to the non-exercising group.

In 2004, there was a Tufts-New England Medical Centre review of nearly 50 different studies that examined the health benefits of tai chi on patients with chronic health problems such as multiple sclerosis and heart disease.

In the Archives of Internal Medicine the Tufts team wrote: "Benefits were reported in balance and strength, cardiovascular and respiratory function, flexibility, immune system, symptoms of arthritis, muscular strength, and psychological effects."

In older patients with chronic conditions, tai chi is a safe and effective means of promoting flexibility, balance control and cardiovascular fitness.

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Datuk Dr Rajen M. is a pharmacist with a doctorate in holistic medicine. Email him at health@po.jaring.my

What is Tai Chi?

ORIGINALLY developed in China as a form of self-defence, tai chi is a graceful form of exercise dating back some 2,000 years.

Tai chi sometimes called tai chi chuan is a non-competitive, self-paced system of stretching and gentle physical exercise.

In tai chi, one performs a series of postures or movements in a slow, graceful manner. Each posture flows into the next without pausing.

Tai chi is used to:
• Reduce stress
• Increase flexibility
• Improve muscle strength and definition
• Increase energy, stamina and agility
• Increase feelings of well-being

The intensity of tai chi varies.

Some forms of tai chi are more fast-paced than others.

However, most forms are gentle and suitable for everyone and include rhythmic patterns of movement that are coordinated with breathing.