ABSTRACT
The usage of “Taiji sense”(a kind of image) is required during Taijiquan (TJQ) exercise, but some practitioners virtually ignore it all the time while exercising. The significance for the usage of “Taiji sense” is still completely unknown. This study assessed the psycho-physiological effects of “Taiji sense” during 24-style TJQ exercise (24TJQ). 25 middle-elderly 24TJQ-experienced subjects were divided into Taiji-sensed group (TS), non-Taiji-sensed group (NTS) and ergometry exercise group (EE) by balancing their age and TJQ experience time. The division of TS and NTS was determined by a self-reported investigation, based on whether the practitioner usually use or do not use the image of “Taiji sense” while exercising TJQ. Electroencephalography and profile of mood states were examined and compared. After exercise, TS showed greater increase of α activity (P<0.05) and greater decrease of β activity (P<0.05) than EE, respectively. α hemispherical asymmetry score indicated by Fp1-Fp2 showed significant decrease change (P<0.05) in TS after exercise (Post2), and tended to be lower (P=0.056) than that of NTS. Even though all conditions significantly decreased Tension-Anxiety (T-A) scores (P<0.05, for all), only TS significantly increased Vigor (V) score (P<0.05). The change of α activity inversely correlated to the change of T-A score (r=−0.78, P<0.0001) in all conditions. Conclusively, the usage of “Taiji sense” might help to produce stronger psycho-physiological responses during 24TJQ practice, and give rise to effective relaxation after exercise, as classics pointed out.