SYSTEMATIC REVIEW ON THE EFFECTS OF TAI CHI ON EXECUTIVE FUNCTION IN COLLEGE STUDENTS

Authors

  • Sime Nkemeni Darrin Wushu Collage of Henan University, People’s Republic of China
  • Duangchit Chanthavone Wushu Collage of Henan University, People’s Republic of China
  • Hong Hao Wushu Collage of Henan University, People’s Republic of China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejpe.v12i2.5780

Keywords:

Tai Chi, executive function, inhibition, college students, academic achievement

Abstract

This review investigates the efficacy of Tai Chi in enhancing executive functions, drawing on a compilation of diverse studies. Findings consistently highlight improvements in inhibition control, executive function, and overall mental well-being, positioning Tai Chi as an accessible intervention supportive of the cognitive health of college students. Notably, benefits are observed in both older and younger populations, as well as individuals with differing health conditions, underscoring its universal applicability. It equally identifies new research domain for the investigation of the interplay between Tai Chi and executive function, particularly regarding its influence on academic performance/achievement.

 

Article visualizations:

Hit counter

Author Biographies

  • Sime Nkemeni Darrin, Wushu Collage of Henan University, People’s Republic of China

    Sime Nkemeni Darrin, Wushu College of Henan University, People’s Republic of China. Research interests in Sport Health, Sport Education and Biotechnique.

    ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-4268-8846

    Email : darrin@henu.edu.cn  

  • Duangchit Chanthavone, Wushu Collage of Henan University, People’s Republic of China

    Duangchit Chanthavone, Wushu College of Henan University, People’s Republic of China. Research interests in Sport Health.

  • Hong Hao, Wushu Collage of Henan University, People’s Republic of China

    Hong Hao, Professor, Dean of Wushu College of Henan University, People’s Republic of China.

References

L. Wei, Q. Chai, J. Chen, Q. Wang, Y. Bao, W. Xu, E. Ma, The impact of Tai Chi on cognitive rehabilitation of elder adults with mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis, Disabil. Rehabil. 44(11) (2022) 2197-2206. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2020.1830311

M. Lin, C. Ma, J. Zhu, J. Gao, L. Huang, J. Huang, Z. Liu, J. Tao, L. Chen, Effects of exercise interventions on executive function in old adults with mild cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, Ageing Res. Rev. 82 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2022.101776

X.-L. Zhou, L.-N. Wang, J. Wang, X.-H. Shen, X. Zhao, Effects of exercise interventions for specific cognitive domains in old adults with mild cognitive impairment A protocol of subgroup meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, Medicine 99(31) (2020). https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000020105

Q. Wang, Y. Sheng, Effect of Tai Ji Quan on Cognitive Function in Old Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment, Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 22(6) (2016) 645-649. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/6683302

Y. Wang, Tai Chi exercise and the improvement of mental and physical health among college students, Medicine and Sport Science 52:135-45 (2008). http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000134294

Y.T. Wang, L. Taylor, M. Pearl, L.-S. Chang, Effects of Tai Chi exercise on physical and mental health of college students, The American Journal of Chinese Medicine 32(03) (2004) 453-459. https://doi.org/10.1142/s0192415x04002107

K. Caldwell, L. Emery, M. Harrison, J. Greeson, Changes in mindfulness, well-being, and sleep quality in college students through taijiquan courses: a cohort control study, The journal of alternative and complementary medicine 17(10) (2011) 931-938. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2010.0645

G. Zheng, X. Lan, M. Li, K. Ling, H. Lin, L. Chen, J. Tao, J. Li, X. Zheng, B. Chen, The effectiveness of Tai Chi on the physical and psychological well-being of college students: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial, Trials 15 (2014) 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1186/1745-6215-15-129

N.R. Haddaway, M.J. Page, C.C. Pritchard, L.A. McGuinness, PRISMA2020: An R package and Shiny app for producing PRISMA 2020‐compliant flow diagrams, with interactivity for optimised digital transparency and Open Synthesis, Campbell Syst. Rev. 18(2) (2022) e1230. https://doi.org/10.1002/cl2.1230

T. Hao, Research on the Influence of Taijiquan on College Students’ Inhibition Control Based on fNIRS Technology, Med. Sci. Forum, MDPI, 2022, p. 1. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/IECH2022-12297

X. Li, L. Cui, Y. Wang, L. Zhu, Y. Li, J. Li, Q. Shen, J. Zhang, H. Yin, Acute Tai Chi (Bafa Wubu) on inhibitory function under negative emotional stimulation in college students: an ERP study, J. Beijing Normal Univ. (Nat. Sci.) 56(1) (2020) 141-147. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2024.1520508

A.K. Converse, B.P. Barrett, B.A. Chewning, P.M. Wayne, Tai Chi training for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A feasibility trial in college students, Complement. Ther. Med. 53 (2020) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102538

C.S. Chuan, Effects of Tai Chi practice through virtual training on attentional inhibition and response inhibition among students of USM, Kelantan, Malaysia, 2022. Retrieved from http://eprints.usm.my/57149/

L. Cui, S. Tao, H.C. Yin, Q.Q. Shen, Y. Wang, L.N. Zhu, X.J. Li, Tai Chi Chuan Alters Brain Functional Network Plasticity and Promotes Cognitive Flexibility, Front. Psychol. 12 (2021) https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.665419

M. Wang, B. Lyu, Effect of 24-form simplified Tai Chi on executive inhibitory control of college students: a randomized controlled trial of EEG, Front. Psychol. 15 (2024) 1344989. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1344989

L. Zhu, A. He, D. Chen, X. Dong, X. Xiong, A. Chen, Cardiorespiratory fitness as a mediator between body fat rate and executive function in college students, Front. Endocrinol. (Lausanne) 14 (2023). Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2023.1293388

B. Guo, Y. Song, L. Zhao, X. Cheng, H. Ma, X. Qiu, X. Yang, Z. Qiao, E. Zhao, T. Bu, J. Yang, R. Mishra, Y. Yang, J. Zhou, Sleep quality and creativity in Chinese college student during the COVID-19 pandemic: The mediating role of executive function, Public Health Front. 10 (2022). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.987372

J. Li, W. Yang, F. Zheng, Study on the effect of mindfulness Taijiquan on improving mobile phone addiction behavior and inhibiting function of college students, The Journal of the International Society of Chinese Health Practices 3(1) (2023). Retrieved from http://www.ischp.org/journal/index.php/jischp/article/view/291

Q. Shen, H. Yin, L. Cui, The brain mechanisms of Bafa Wubu of Tai Chi exercise enhancement on inhibition of college students, The Journal of the International Society of Chinese Health Practices 2(1) (2021). Retrieved from http://www.ischp.org/journal/index.php/jischp/article/view/93

J. Hou, H. Yin, L. Cui, Q. Shen, T. Xia, J. Zhang, Effects of tai chi on inhibitory function in college students’ evidence from heart rate variability, The Journal of the International Society of Chinese Health Practices 3(1) (2023). Retrieved from http://www.ischp.org/journal/index.php/jischp/article/view/247

Y. Wang, J. Tian, Q. Yang, Tai Chi exercise improves working memory capacity and emotion regulation ability, Front. Psychol. 14 (2023) 1047544. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1047544

X. Lv, X. Ren, C. Guo, L. Tang, Tai Chi exercise training enhances executive function and fluid intelligence of healthy older adults: Cross-sectional and longitudinal evidence, Psychol. Sport Exerc. 58 (2022) 102105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2021.102105

F.-T. Chen, J.L. Etnier, K.-H. Chan, P.-K. Chiu, T.-M. Hung, Y.-K. Chang, Effects of exercise training interventions on executive function in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis, Sports Med. 50(8) (2020) 1451-1467. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-020-01292-x

Downloads

Published

2025-01-24

Issue

Section

Articles