Effects of Tai Chi on telomerase activity and gerotranscendence in middle aged and elderly adults in Chinese society

• Main Authors: Gong-xiang Duan, Ke Wang, Yin-hua Su, Shuang-yang Tang, Hong-li Jia, Xue-mei Chen, Hong-hui Xie
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2016-09-01
• Series: International Journal of Nursing Sciences
• Subjects: Tai Chi; Telomerase activity; Gerotranscendence
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352013215300363

Introduction: Telomeres are DNA protein structures at the end of chromosomes and are linked to the physical aging process. The improvement of quality of life is closely associated with aerobic exercise, and the dynamic effects of exercise on physiology and psychology are evident with aging. Tai Chi is popularly practiced in China. However, findings on the effects of Tai Chi on telomerase activity (TA) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and gerotranscendence (GT), as well as the association of TA and GT with Tai Chi, have been inconsistent. Purpose: This study aims to assess TA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, GT, and the associations between them. The associations among these variables are determined during six months of Tai Chi intervention among Chinese middle aged and elderly adults. Methods: TA assessment was obtained by TE-ELISA (human telomerase–enzyme linked immunosorbent assay), and GT was measured at the baseline level after six months of Tai Chi intervention. Results: TA increased significantly in the Tai Chi group from 23.75 ± 3.78 u/mmol (pre-intervention) to 26.31 ± 2.93 u/mmol (after 6 months) (p < 0.05). Compared with the TA in the control group, the TA in the intervention group was statistically significant after six months (p < 0.05). Compared with the GT in the control group, the GT in the intervention group improved significantly after six months (p < 0.05). TA and GT had a positive correlation (r = 0.325, p < 0.01). Conclusion: Our data illustrated that Tai Chi had a protective effect on TA and might improve the GT in Chinese middle aged and elderly adults. The TA increased with the increasing GT in Chinese middle aged and elderly adults.