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| B. The effect on the heart vessels and breathing: "How the exercises affect the heart vessels depends on the nervous system of the practitioner. The movements of Taijiquan activate the muscles and joints and promote rhythmic breathing, especially in the diaphragm area. This improves blood and lymph circulation and prevents ecchymoses, or bruises-a truly valuable aid for such conditions. The normal contraction and expansion of all skeletal muscles is known to support blood circulation in the veins and ensure the return of venous blood and the necessary vascular pressure in the right atrium. Normal breathing also helps circulation because as chest volume increases during inhalation, negative pressure increases, which in turn lowers the pressure in the superior and inferior vena cava, the two large veins that carry blood to the heart, thus accelerating the return flow of venous blood. With a relaxed chest, the Taijiquan movements are smooth and well-adapted to the pace of breathing. This creates a natural flow that supports the overall effect and also improves blood and lymph circulation. If an athlete's chest, shoulder and elbow muscles are very tense, his breathing is often difficult due to a cramped chest. This indicates impaired blood circulation and is evident in a reddened face and bulging veins in the neck area. Taijiquan practitioners never exhibit such symptoms. Many movements in the exercise program require a kind of "tuck-in," a special form of diaphragmatic breathing that is very good for your health. The diaphragm and abdominal muscles maintain variable abdominal pressure. When the pressure rises, blood is pumped into the right atrium; when the pressure falls, the blood returns to the abdomen. For example, the rhythmic breathing during the exercises improves the supply of blood and nutrients to the heart muscles. Furthermore, the diaphragmatic movements provide a consistent massage to the liver, which is naturally a good way to correct liver ecchymosis and improve liver function. Therefore, regular exercise is a good antidote to many types of heart problems and arteriosclerosis. In the above-mentioned study at the Beijing Sports Medicine Research Center, the test subjects had to jump up and down a 40 cm high bench fifteen times. Group A was significantly superior in terms of cardiovascular function. All but one of the 32 people in this group had normal blood pressure and heart rate. In group B, however, performance and reaction time declined with increasing age; overweight members of this group, for example, failed completely. Cardiographic recordings confirmed this test result. In group A, 28.2% deviated from the normal range, while in group B it was 41.3%. Statistics show that with regular exercise, the blood supply to the coronary arteries is sufficient, heart contractions are strong, and blood circulates evenly and dynamically. Since regular Taijiquan exercises increase the conducting power of the central nervous system and the coordination of the organs and increase the intensity of the vagus nerve, the supply of blood and oxygen and the metabolic process are improved. Fewer cases of hypertension and arteriosclerosis were found in group A. The average blood pressure was 134.1 to 80.8 mm Hg compared to 154.5 to 82.7 mm Hg in Group B. The arteriosclerosis rate was 39.5% in Group A. It is generally 46.4% for people in this age group. Physical studies show that Taijiquan exercises have a beneficial effect on maintaining lung elasticity, chest mobility (hardening of the costal cartilage is prevented), lung capacity, and the exchange of oxygen and hydrocarbons. The respiratory capacity in group A was far higher than that of group B, which clearly indicates greater strength of the respiratory and diaphragm muscles, higher lung elasticity and less hardening of the costal cartilage. For those whose rib cartilage has already hardened and whose rib cage has lost mobility, deep and slow breathing and the movements of the abdominal muscles during the exercises improve the air supply. In addition, the rhythmic change in abdominal pressure also accelerates blood flow and gas exchange in the lung cells, which in turn helps to preserve the patient's vitality. Therefore, the people in group A were able to maintain regular breathing and recover quickly after the test." (Buchquelle: Seite 4-6, Taijiquan in 88 Figuren von Victor Wu, CBT China Book Trading, 1995, Taschenbuch, 229 Seiten, ISBN 9622381065) |