Background and Purpose: Tai Chi Chuan, a traditional Chinese exercise, is believed to enhance cardiopulmonary function in individuals with chronic illnesses. This study aimed to explore the effects of Tai Chi Chuan on the pulmonary function and daily symptoms of children suffering from asthma.

Thirty asthmatic children were recruited, with half of them participating in a 12-week Tai Chi Chuan program while the other half served as the control group. Before the study, pulmonary function tests were conducted on all participants at rest, post-exercise, and post-exercise plus exposure to iced water. Additionally, a 3-day symptoms questionnaire was administered, and scores were recorded after each pulmonary function test.

Initially, there were no significant differences between the two groups regarding baseline pulmonary function or the severity of asthmatic symptoms, whether at rest, post-exercise, or post-exercise plus iced water. However, after the 12-week program, children in the Tai Chi Chuan group exhibited a notable improvement in pulmonary function compared to their counterparts in the control group. While there were no significant variations in post-training symptom scores at rest and post-exercise between the two groups, the Tai Chi Chuan group experienced milder symptoms than the control group when faced with the more strenuous challenge of exercise plus iced water.

The findings indicate that Tai Chi Chuan has the potential to enhance the pulmonary function of asthmatic children. However, further investigation with long-term follow-up is necessary to fully understand the impact of Tai Chi Chuan on the severity of asthmatic symptoms.

Reference: Chang, Y. F., Yang, Y. H., Chen, C. C., & Chiang, B. L. (2008). Tai Chi Chuan training improves the pulmonary function of asthmatic children. Journal of microbiology, immunology, and infection= Wei mian yu gan ran za zhi, 41(1), 88-95.