• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.27-33
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes of the center of pressure (COP) trajectory in healthy elderly subjects while crossing an obstacle before and after participation in Tai Chi training. Forty healthy elderly subjects participated either in a 12-week intervention of Tai Chi training or in a health education program. The participants were divided into two groups (the experimental group and the control group). Subsequently, the participants were pre- and post-tested on crossing over an obstacle from a quiet stance. Participants in the experimental group received Tai Chi training that emphasized the smooth integration of trunk rotation, a shift in weight bearing from bilateral to unilateral support and coordination and a gradual narrowing of the lower-extremity stance three times weekly. The participants in the control group attended a health education program one hour weekly and heard lectures about general information to promote health. Performance was assessed by recording the changes in the displacement of the COP in the anteroposterior (A-P) and mediolateral (M-L) directions using a force platform. Participants in the Tai Chi group significantly increased the A-P and M-L displacement of the COP after Tai Chi training (p<.05). No significant differences in the A-P and the M-L displacement of the COP between pre-testing and post-testing in the control group were found. This study has shown that participation in Tai Chi exercise increased the magnitude of the A-P and M-L displacement of the COP, thereby improving the ability of healthy elderly participation to generate momentum to initiate gait. These findings support the use of Tai Chi training as an effective fall-prevention program for the elderly.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.217-226
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• 2017

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify the effects of Tai Chi training program on physical fitness, stress response and ego-resiliency in nursing students. Methods: 28 nursing students of D metropolitan city participated in non-equivalent control group pre- and post-test group test in quasi experimental design with written consent. Fourteen participants in the control group who did usual activities and 14 experimental participants who promised to participate 24 Tai Chi training sessions for 12 weeks. Both groups completed pre- and post-test measurement for physical fitness, a questionnaire regarding their stress response and ego-resiliency. Each 60-minute Tai Chi session was consisted of 5-minute warm up, 10-minute meditation, 40-minute Tai Chi, and 5-minute finishing exercise. Results: After 12 weeks, participants in the Tai Chi group reported significantly higher score in muscle endurance (t=3.77, p=.001), leg muscular strength (t=2.14, p=.042), and balance (t=2.12, p=.044) compared to the control group. The Tai Chi group recorded significantly lower score than the control group on stress response (t=2.75, p=.011). Conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of Tai Chi for a reduction in stress response and promotion in physical fitness in nursing students. Applying Tai Chi training to nursing program will help nursing students to have better academic performance.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.79-90
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• 2010

Objectives : Tai Chi for arthritis was developed in 1997 by Paul Lam, M.D. of family medicine in Australia. It is an exercise treatment program and a good approaching method for arthritis. However its application is limited to arthritis of knee joint only. Even there have been no clinical study in korean traditional medical society. The aim of this study is to investigate effect of the Tai Chi for arthritis on chronic pain of body. Methods : We designed this trial as objectives were (1) senior female over 60 years, (2) suffering for osteoarthritis and chronic body pain, (3) have no physical or mental dysfunctions (4) able to walk and exercise alone. Objectives mactched these criteria had been trained the Tai Chi for arthritis 2 hours a day for 21 weeks. Before and after training, pain of 8 joints (neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, waist, hip, knee, ankle) were estimated with the VAS(Visual Analog Scale). Results : Training the Tai Chi for arthritis relieved multiple joint pain(especially neck, lower back, shoulder, wrist and knee) and these were statistically significant. Conclusions : This study is a pilot study to investigate effect of the Tai Chi for arthritis on chronic pain of whole body. Absence of control group, and other scale to test joint function except VAS were limitations of this study. It is the first clinical approach about Tai Chi in korean medicine field, also the first study of Tai Chi for pain of the whole body.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.543-548
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• 2009

Treatment for breast cancer produces side effects that diminish functional capacity and quality of life (QOL) among survivors. Tai Chi is a moderate form of exercise that may improve functional capacity, physical activity and oxidative stress. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of regular Tai Chi exercise on malondialdehyde (MDA), SOD and physical fitness (muscle strength, flexibility, flexion, extension, adduction, and abduction). Forty obese women were recruited from a public health center and divided into control (CON: n=20) and trained (EXP: n=20) groups. The Tai Chi exercise group participated in a 12-week (4 times/week) training program. Data were analyzed with T-test. MDA, SOD and physical fitness (muscle strength, flexibility, flexion, extension, adduction, and abduction) were evaluated before and after the Tai Chi program in both groups. There were significant improvements in shoulder flexibility, flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction. However, there was no improvement in muscle strength. There were also significant improvements in MDA and SOD. Based on these results, Tai Chi exercise has been shown to stimulate endogenous antioxidant enzymes and reduce oxidative damage markers. and also be effective in improving physical fitness and QOL. Further study is needed in this area.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.17-27
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• 2011

Purpose: The study examined the effect of exercise public health center exercise program on strength, balance, body composition and blood pressure in healthy elderly women. Method: Thirty healthy elderly women were divided into three 12-week exercise groups: Tai-Chi (n=10), silver dance (n=10), and band exercise (n=10). The results were analyzed by two-way repeated ANOVA and paired t-test using SPSS 12.0 program. Results: Body weight and body mass index were significantly decreased in the Tai-Chi and silver dance groups. In addition, there was a significant increase in balance time and reduced diastolic blood pressure in Tai-Chi participant. Grip strength was significantly increased in Tai-Chi and silver dance participants, but there was no effect in the band exercise group. Agility was significantly increased in the band exercise group. Conclusion: Tai-Chi and silver dance may be beneficial to improve fitness of elderly people, although the details remain to be elucidated.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.1575-1580
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• 2009

Tai Chi is a slow and gentle exercise which is suitable for obese women with chronic diseases. Tai Chi can improve the health of a senior without exacerbating existing impairments, including obese patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of different types of Tai Chi exercise on blood variables (glucose, cholesterol, TG, HDL, LDL, cortisol) and physical fitness (muscle strength, flexibility, muscle endurance, agility, balance). Thirty obese women were recruited from a public health center. They were divided into Yang style (YS: n=15) and 12 (12KS: n=15). The Tai Chi exercise group participated in a training program for 12 weeks (3times/week). There was significant improvement in muscle strength, flexibility, and muscle endurance in both groups. Agility was significantly increased in YS, more than in 12KS. However, there was no improvement in balance in both groups. There was significant improvement in cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and cortisol in both groups. However there was no improvement in blood glucose levels in either group. From the results, there was no significant difference in either Tai Chi exercises. The Tai Chi exercise program was effective in improving cholesterol related variables and physical fitness, except balance, in both groups. Further study is needed in this area.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2007

Purpose : The purpose of this study was investigated to find the approach in the PNF and TC for frail elder Method : This is a literature study with books, articles, seminal note and books for PNF and TC international course. Result : Neural mechanisms contribute significantly to the gains that occur in the range of motion about a joint with stretching exercises. The participation in a stretch-training program decreases tonic reflex activity and increases flexibility and decreases in force production and muscle activation. Also the stretching-induced decreases may be due to a central nervous system inhibitory mechanism. PNF stretch techniques can increase ROM in older adults. These results may differ from those of studies performed with younger populations because of age-related physiologic changes. TC exercise improves balance control and muscle strength and were associated with reorganized lower extremity neuromuscular patterns. Conclusions : The stretch training program of the PNF and TC contribute to increase the balance and coordination for frail elder. Therefore, The frail elder prevent falling. Further study, The PNF and TC be introduced as the new therapeutic intervention for frail elder.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.471-480
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• 2013

This research is a questionnaire survey conducted to find out educational improvement by analyzing the propriety and difficulty of therapeutic Qigong education practiced in Korean medicine department. We took survey on students after giving therapeutic Qigong education at Pusan National University School of Korean Medicine in the second semester of the year 2011 and 2012. The number of responders was 103 in total. Reflection of training goal was $8.38{\pm}1.34$, satisfaction of composition of contents was $8.24{\pm}1.36$, which showed that the education was informative. Difficulty level was $6.11{\pm}1.09$, which showed intermediate level. The propriety of education material was $7.64{\pm}1.72$ and propriety of contents was $7.85{\pm}1.52$, which all turned out to be appropriate. In case of the propriety of time distribution, intermediate point of $5.58{\pm}1.92$ was found. The therapeutic Qigong education in Pusan National University School of Korean Medicine was evaluated practical and appropriate by students. However, education period should be modified since it is evaluated to be intermediate level.

• Journal of Daesoon Thought and the Religions of East Asia
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.111-132
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• 2022

In the 1920s, a new religion emerged in Tay Ninh Province, Southern Vietnam, under the name Caodaism; also known as the Third Universal Salvation of the Great Dao. It is the result of the typical combination of three main religions (Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism). Different ethnic groups populated Tay Ninh, such as Chinese, Khmer, Cham, and Kinh. Additionally, the core principle of Caodaism is known as The Three Religions Returned to the Origin, and it is also expanded as The Five Branches Reunited. The Five Branches are humankind's five ways of self-cultivation: the Way of Humans, the Way of Deities, the Way of Saints, the Way of Immortals, and the Way of Buddhas. Although Caodaism was only founded in 1920, this religion is well known domestically and internationally. This is because Caodaism has a distinctive identity; it is a new religion that advocates a syncretistic combination of essential religious teachings that follow the harmonization and reconciliation between the East and West as well as between the past and present. Moreover, the Tay Ninh Holy See is the most important, first, and largest Cao Dai temple in Vietnam. The temple is located in Tay Ninh Province in southwestern Vietnam. This article aims to introduce the Tay Ninh Holy See as the birthplace of Caodaism and as the largest Cao Dai religious palace, not only in Vietnam but also in other countries that practice Caodaism. A brief overview of Tay Ninh Holy See's origin, history, and planning will be provided. Most importantly, the style of the architecture at the Tay Ninh Holy See will be comprehensively analyzed to shed more light on the meaning of each section and the details of this temple structure.