The Bioenergy Analysis of Different Seasons in Chen-Style Tai Chi Chuan Exercise: A Case Study CHENG, CHIEN MIN1 NATIONAL KAOHSIUNG UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES1 KAOHSIUNG, TAIWAN HUANG, SHIN THO2 NATIONAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORTS2 TAOYUAN, TAIWAN

The Bioenergy Analysis of Different Seasons in Chen-Style Tai Chi Chuan Exercise: A Case Study

Introduction In the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), regimen of different seasons is an important concept for Yin and Yang, and the theory of meridian is dependent on Yin and Yang . Yin-yang is a concept based on the theory of Tai chi and the five elements. (Chi Kung Culture Society of TAIPEI, 2003).

Introduction The most important factor about yin-yang focuses on the inter-relationship between the forces of being and non-being. Just like the concept of Tai Chi and Wu chi (the opposite of Tai Chi); male and female; positive and negative; lightness and darkness; happiness and sadness, and so on…. (Chi Kung Culture Society of TAIPEI, 2003).

Introduction The major concept of Yin and Yang consists of a force and counterforce which reciprocally interact with each other to achieve perfect harmony. Therefore, the theory of Yin and Yang strictly is not talking about things being black or white, right or wrong, or good or bad. (Chi Kung Culture Society of TAIPEI, 2003).

Introduction The meridians are thought to be the pathways for Qi (or bioenergy), which then circulates throughout the human body. They originate in the internal organs and from there travel up to the skin (Lu et al., 1999).

Introduction Through the application of sophisticated instruments and clinical treatments, experts in this area have accumulated their knowledge about physiological and pathological symptoms along with these phenomena. Information of Yin-Yang and Tai Chi would enable us to realize the medical functions of Chen-Style Tai Chi Chuan (CSTCC) and its potential contributions to public health.

Introduction CSTCC is a kind of Chinese traditional martial art. It is a traditional Chinese conditioning exercise, consisting of 83-step graceful movements linked together in a continuous sequence, so that the body is constantly shifting from one foot to the other. The regular Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) practitioners have better postural stability, especially in the more complicated conditions with disturbed visual and somatosensory conditions (Lin et al, 2000).

Introduction A series of studies was designed to investigate the effect of TCC for developing and maintaining cardiorespiratory function in elderly individuals. The results implied that TCC was beneficial to the cardiorespiratory in the middle-aged and elderly individuals. In the longitudinal studies, researchers demonstrated that long-term TCC practice might delay the decline of cardiorespiratory function and increase VO2max. (Wong et al., 1990; Lai et al., 1993; Lai et al., 1995; Lan et al, 1996).

Introduction The electrical properties of human skin are largely dependent on body part, environmental conditions and measuring system. (Martinsen et al., 1997, 1999). The variations are extensive not only between body parts, however, but also within a smaller area on the skin. Various instruments for small area electrical measurements have been presented, based e.g., roller electrodes and a suction microelectrode. (Yamamoto et al. 1988; Panescu et al. 1993).

Introduction Cheng and Huang (2002) reveal that the benefits of Chen-Style Tai Chi Chuan practice can be measured by using Ryodoraku theory, which spread by Yoshio Nakatani was chosen as the theoretical basis for investigation.

Introduction The result indicated that for the prior practice, the bioenergy value was significantly lower than that of the post practice. Additionally, the meridian electric resistance decreased. And then the value of bioenergy decreased as the resting times. This phenomenon is related to the vitalized neural transfer mechanism and smoothed neural potential, which are triggered by Tai Chi Chuan exercises.

Introduction Theoretically we have proved the effect of capability for curing disease relevant to the “power” of CSTCC. It is worthy to conduct more investigations (Cheng and Huang, 2002). In this article, we carried out bioenergy analyses by employing Ryodoraku as the theoretical base for the study, which was proposed by Yoshio Nakatani. (Nakatani, 1956; Tseng, 2000).

Subject Male Aged 43 Practice aged of 6 years OF CSTCC since 1996. Height 167 cm Weight 63.5 kg.

Practicing programs CSTCC of old form, first sort, and combine 83-step movements. The subject practiced CSTCC 3-5 times per week . Audio-video assisted instruction was provided to facilitate his practice, with individualized instruction also emphasized.

Research instrument The research instrument was the Detecting System of Channel and Acupuncture Points and Bioenergy. The design is based on the principles of the theory of Ryodoraku made by Yoshio Nakatani (Tseng, 2000).

Methods and procedure 24 channels and acupuncture points were measured using the DSCAPB with the attained values treated as the index indicating changes in bioenergy. These indexes also indicated the longitudinal CSTCC practicing benefits prior and 5, 10, 20 minute of post exercise. This method combines together an A/D interface, a microcomputer, and artificial intelligence technology. It enabled us to automatically calculate, analyze, and judge the conditional change of bioenergy values, which was a reflection of the meridian phenomena.

Methods and procedure About two hours before the measurement process, Subject was requested to avoid acute exercise. He then took rest for at least 15 to 20 minutes before he was further measured with the other acupuncture points.

Methods and procedure

Methods and procedure

Data Analysis Using the DSCAPB, we collected the subjects’ bioengery values of 24 points. A dependent t-test was carried out to compare difference both before and after CSTCC practice, and pre- and 5, 10, 20 minutes post-exercise of the experiment. The significance level was set to be .05.

Results, Discussion and Conclusions The results showed that there was significantly difference in four levels (Pre, Post 5, Post 10 and Post 20 minute) of CSTCC practice by bioenergy. The Figure 7 show that the difference in four periods time of CSTCC practice points bioenergy value from A Pre (23.42μA) to B Post 5 minute (95.96 μA).

Results of pre, post 5, post10 and post 20 minute in different seasons Fig. 7 Comparison of Points bioenergy during CSTCC exercise of pre, post 5, post10 and post 20 minute in different seasons

Results Fig.8 Various distributions of bioenergy during CSTCC exercise in different seasons

Results Figure9.Various distributions of bioenergy value in 2002 summer CSTCC practice.

Results Figure10. Various distributions of bioenergy value in 1999 autumn CSTCC practice.

Discussion To summarize, this study found that there was a significant difference in bioenergy due to different practice accumulated time (Cheng and Huang, 2002). We suspected that the subjects’ Practice time of CSTCC is the focus factors.

Discussion This phenomenon is related to the vitalized neural transfer mechanism and smoothed neural potential, which are triggered by Tai Chi Chuan exercises. The research findings suggest that CSTCC practicing enables metabolic improvement and contributes to smooth blood circulation.

Discussion The results provided implications for health preservation science. We can find out the effects of CSTCC practice by bioenergy analysis and there have positive effects to prevent disease.

Conclusions The result indicated that for the prior practice, the bioenergy value was significantly lower than that of the post practice. There were significant differences of bioenergy values between seasons, and the summer period values are higher then the autumn ones. This finding was compatible with that of Cheng and Huang (2002, 2003). Cheng also found that, the practice of any kind of TCC would generate similar effects for wellness and health promotion.

Future The feature bioenergy research will focus on the Elite athlete of different item during different seasons time.

THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION! AUTHOR: CHENG CHIEN MIN (JIMMY) E-MAIL: cmjimmy.cheng@msa.hinet.net COAUTH0R: HUANG SHIN THO E-MAIL: shintho@mail.ncpes.edu.tw