Tai Chi-induced Audible Bowel Sounds: An Indication of the Enhancement on the Parasympathetic Nervous System
Location
Suwanee, GA
Start Date
14-5-2019 1:00 PM
End Date
14-5-2019 4:00 PM
Description
Tai Chi movements are unique exercise that can improve cognition, strength somatomotor coordination, and enhance autonomic nerve regulation on internal organ function. The mild increase in heart rate and/or slight sweat during and after practicing Tai Chi clearly indicates the activation of the sympathetic nervous system. There is lack of evidence to show that Tai Chi exercise enhances the activity of parasympathetic nervous system (vagus nerve) though it is claimed that practicing Tai Chi can enhance vagal modulation. It is known that increase in the vagus nerve output reduces stress and cultivate body wellbeing. This study documents that Tai Chi exercise indeed activates parasympathetic nervous system by recording the bowel sounds using an audio recorder (Sony digital voice recorder ICD-PX Series) and analyzing the data using NCH software (WavePad audio editor). The heart rate was simultaneously recorded using a fingertip pulse oximeter (Zacurate Pro Series 500DL) during performing Tai Chi exercise. All the data was repeatedly collected from one Tai Chi performer (Master level) in a study period of 3 months. A total of 30 recordings were used to carry out the analysis. The audible bowel sounds occurred when the performer started to do the Ready-Movement of Yang-style Tai Chi. These Tai Chi induced- bowel sounds lasted from the beginning to the end of a set of movements (3-5 min for the 24-Short-Form or 12-15 min for the 88-Long- Form). The frequency of sounds was in a range of 0.2 to 3.5 Hz. The average number of the bowel sounds was approximately 2.5 sounds per Tai Chi Move. The intensity and frequency of the bowel sounds are not related to the change of the performer’s heart rate. In comparison, sit-down meditation or deep squat exercise did not cause any changes in the bowel sounds. According to the autonomic innervation of the GI tract, increase of bowel movement (sound) is mediated by parasympathetic nervous system activity. These results provide solid evidence that Tai Chi practice can simultaneously exercise the somatic motor system, the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system. The enhancement of parasympathetic nervous system differentiates Tai Chi from other modalities of exercise.
Embargo Period
1-28-2020
Tai Chi-induced Audible Bowel Sounds: An Indication of the Enhancement on the Parasympathetic Nervous System
Suwanee, GA
Tai Chi movements are unique exercise that can improve cognition, strength somatomotor coordination, and enhance autonomic nerve regulation on internal organ function. The mild increase in heart rate and/or slight sweat during and after practicing Tai Chi clearly indicates the activation of the sympathetic nervous system. There is lack of evidence to show that Tai Chi exercise enhances the activity of parasympathetic nervous system (vagus nerve) though it is claimed that practicing Tai Chi can enhance vagal modulation. It is known that increase in the vagus nerve output reduces stress and cultivate body wellbeing. This study documents that Tai Chi exercise indeed activates parasympathetic nervous system by recording the bowel sounds using an audio recorder (Sony digital voice recorder ICD-PX Series) and analyzing the data using NCH software (WavePad audio editor). The heart rate was simultaneously recorded using a fingertip pulse oximeter (Zacurate Pro Series 500DL) during performing Tai Chi exercise. All the data was repeatedly collected from one Tai Chi performer (Master level) in a study period of 3 months. A total of 30 recordings were used to carry out the analysis. The audible bowel sounds occurred when the performer started to do the Ready-Movement of Yang-style Tai Chi. These Tai Chi induced- bowel sounds lasted from the beginning to the end of a set of movements (3-5 min for the 24-Short-Form or 12-15 min for the 88-Long- Form). The frequency of sounds was in a range of 0.2 to 3.5 Hz. The average number of the bowel sounds was approximately 2.5 sounds per Tai Chi Move. The intensity and frequency of the bowel sounds are not related to the change of the performer’s heart rate. In comparison, sit-down meditation or deep squat exercise did not cause any changes in the bowel sounds. According to the autonomic innervation of the GI tract, increase of bowel movement (sound) is mediated by parasympathetic nervous system activity. These results provide solid evidence that Tai Chi practice can simultaneously exercise the somatic motor system, the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system. The enhancement of parasympathetic nervous system differentiates Tai Chi from other modalities of exercise.