Effects of Yang-style Tai Chi on body composition and heart rate variability during COVID-19 pandemic among Chinese college students: A preliminary study

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 restrictions have further reduced college students’ opportunities for physical activity (PA), and problems related to physical and physiological health of college students have become increasingly serious. Studying the effect of Tai Chi (TC) on body composition and heart rate variability can provide insights into the potential benefits of TC as a form of exercise. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of 6-week 24-forms Yang-style Tai Chi (YTC) on body composition and heart rate variability (HRV) among college students. Materials and methods: This single-arm, single-blind, pilot study enrolled 6 beginners from 25 individuals. Body composition and HRV were assessed at the beginning and end of the YTC exercise intervention. The intervention was performed twice a week for 6 weeks, each session lasting 45 minutes and consisting of warming-up, practice, and cooling-down exercises during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: After 6-week TC exercise, BMI (21.00±2.61 to 21.20±2.62 kg/m2) barely changed (p>0.05), while body fat mass, skeletal muscle mass, and basal metabolic rate showed a significant change (p<0.05). In addition, the high frequency (6.68±0.40 to 7.05±0.50 nu) of heart rate variability had a positive significant increase (p<0.05). Conclusion: The 6-week TC practice had the benefit of improving HRV, such as high-frequency (HF), in college students, but further research is needed to identify the long-term effects of TC on body composition and HRV during the COVID-19 epidemic.