Research on Blood Pressure Status of Residents in the Birthplace of Tai Chi and the Effects of Exercise Intervention

GUO Qiuyue; GU Yingchun; LI Yang; YANG Xi; ZHENG Tengfei; WANG Dongwei

doi:10.12102/j.issn.1672-1349.2025.15.005

Abstract：Objective: To evaluate the impact of long-term Tai Chi practice on the overall blood pressure levels of residents in Chenjia Gou, and further analyze its possible mechanisms. Methods: From September 2018 to March 2019, our hospital conducted a cross-sectional survey of 1,937 residents in Chenjia Gou, registering basic information of the participants. Based on their Tai Chi practice status, the residents were divided into three groups: never practiced group, previously practiced group, and consistently practiced group. Further statistical software was used to analyze the overall prevalence and characteristics of hypertension among Chenjia Gou residents, and to compare the effects of previously practiced and consistently practiced Tai Chi on the overall blood pressure levels and blood pressure levels of hypertensive patients. Results: The overall prevalence of hypertension among Chenjia Gou residents was 42.3%, increasing with age. Before the age of 60, males had a higher prevalence than females, while after the age of 60, females gradually had a higher prevalence than males. After adjusting for age factors, previous Tai Chi practice had no significant effect on the prevalence of hypertension or blood pressure levels. Further statistical analysis between the consistently practiced group and the never practiced group, after adjusting for age factors, showed that consistently practicing Tai Chi significantly reduced the blood pressure levels (including systolic and diastolic pressures) of Chenjia Gou residents. For residents diagnosed with hypertension, consistently practicing Tai Chi significantly improved their systolic blood pressure levels. Additionally, 50% of the hypertensive patients in the consistently practiced group quit smoking due to practicing Tai Chi. No serious adverse events were found during the practice of Tai Chi in the study. Conclusion: Long-term consistent practice of Tai Chi significantly reduced the blood pressure levels of Chenjia Gou residents, and a similar trend was observed in hypertensive patients. Tai Chi exercise may have an intervention effect on blood pressure through multiple targets.