Effect of Tai Chi, Hatha Yoga, and Meditation on HRV in Elderly Women

Wei  Shen; Witid  Mitranun

doi:10.60027/iarj.2025.287607

Authors

Wei Shen Srinakharinwirot University, Thailand https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4998-5273
Witid Mitranun Srinakharinwirot University, Thailand https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9334-2696

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.60027/iarj.2025.287607

Keywords:

Tai Chi, Hatha Yoga, Meditation, Heart Rate Variability, Elderly Women

Abstract

Background and Aims: The rapid aging of China's population has increased cardiovascular disease risk, making it the leading cause of death among the elderly. While tai chi, hatha yoga, and meditation are known to influence heart rate variability (HRV), research on their effects in China remains limited. This study aims to compare the impact of these practices on HRV in elderly women.

Methodology: From August to November 2024, 45 healthy women aged 60–65 years in Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province, were recruited and randomly assigned to three groups (n=15 each): Chen-style Tai Chi, Hatha Yoga, and Meditation. After 12 weeks of intervention, HRV improvements were assessed using time-domain and frequency-domain measures to determine the most effective training method.

Results: After 12 weeks, the Hatha Yoga group showed significantly greater improvements in SDNN and RMSSD compared to the Meditation group (P<0.01). The Tai Chi group also exhibited a significant increase in SDNN (P<0.05) compared to the Meditation group, while RMSSD in the Hatha Yoga group was significantly higher than in the Tai Chi group (P<0.01). In the frequency domain, HF, LF/HF, and TP significantly improved in both the Hatha Yoga and Tai Chi groups compared to the Meditation group (P<0.01). Additionally, LF values were significantly higher in the Hatha Yoga group than in the Meditation group (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Hatha Yoga, Tai Chi, and Meditation all enhance HRV in older women. However, Hatha Yoga led to the most pronounced improvements in vagal activity and autonomic regulation, followed by Tai Chi, which was more effective than Meditation in enhancing HRV.

References

Annells, S., Kho, K., & Bridge, P. (2016). Meditate don't medicate: How medical imaging evidence supports the role of meditation in the treatment of depression. Radiography, 22(1), e54–e58.

Castaldo, R., Melillo, P., Bracale, U., & others. (2015). Acute mental stress assessment via short-term HRV analysis in healthy adults: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Biomedical Signal Processing and Control, 18, 370–377.

Dreifus, L. (1993). Heart rate variability for risk stratification of life-threatening arrhythmias. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 22, 948–950.

Feng, N., Yi, X., Zhang, Y., & others. (2016). Research progress on the impact of insufficient physical activity on adult physical fitness and health. Journal of Shenyang Sport University, 35(5), 81–87.

Golosheykin, S. (2005). Impact of regular meditation practice on EEG activity at rest and during evoked negative emotions. International Journal of Neuroscience, 115(6), 893–909.

Guo, F. (2015). Effects of long-term practice of Taijiquan on autonomic nervous system regulatory function in elderly people. Chinese Journal of Applied Physiology, 31(2), 158–163.

Hou, J. Y. (2015). Analysis on the characteristics and risk prevention of cardiovascular diseases in the elderly. Dajia Health (Science and Technology Edition), 9(09), 268–269.

Kjaer, T. W., Bertelsen, C., Piccini, P., Brooks, D., Alving, J., & Lou, H. C. (2002). Increased dopamine tone during meditation-induced change of consciousness. Cognitive Brain Research, 13(2), 255–259.

Li, G. (2015). Research on the relationship between sedentary behavior patterns and overweight/obesity and related diseases. In Proceedings of the 2015 National Conference on Sports Science (pp. 226–2269).

Li, H., & Qu, S. (2015). Effects of 12-week low and moderate intensity aerobic exercise on heart rate variability in 60–75 years old people. Chinese Journal of Gerontology Annals.

Malliani, A., Pagani, M., Lombardi, F., & Cerutti, S. (1991). Cardiovascular neural regulation explored in the frequency domain. Circulation, 84(2).

Marlatt, G. A., & Kristeller, J. L. (1999). Mindfulness and meditation. In W. R. Miller (Ed.), Integrating spirituality into treatment: Resources for practitioners (pp. 67–84). American Psychological Association.

Qiu, P. (2016). The origin and connotation of the concept of "fitness yoga." Journal of Beijing Sport University, 39(10), 135–140.

Qu, H., & Liu, R. (2009). Research progress of exercise therapy combined with heart rate variability analysis for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Chinese Journal of Gerontology, 29(24), 339–3311.

Ren, A., Yan, J., Hu, Y., Hu, Z., Wang, H., & Wang, X. (2015). Correlation between lung function and body mass index in healthy elderly patients. Chinese Journal of Gerontology, 35(8), 2256–2257.

Ren, J., Huang, L., & Zhang, Z. (2010). Research on meditation based on psychological perspective. Advances in Psychological Science, 18(5), 857–860.

Saboul, D., Pialoux, V., & Hautier, C. A. (2013). The impact of breathing on HRV measurements: Implications for the longitudinal follow-up of athletes. European Journal of Sport Science, 13(5), 534–542.

Sun, X. (2000). Analysis of heart rate variability in elderly people practicing Taijiquan. Journal of Physical Education, 37(2), 37–39.

Tsuji, H., Venditti, F. J., Manders, E. S., & others. (1994). Reduced heart rate variability and mortality risk in an elderly cohort: The Framingham Heart Study. Circulation, 90(2), 878–883.

Wen, A., Xiong, K., & Zhang, M., et al. (2013). Effect of 24-style Chen Tai Chi on HRV in elderly people. Jilin Institute of Physical Education Journal, 29(1), 69–72.

Wu, J., Zhao, D., & Liu, H., et al. (2009). Effect of Hatha yoga practice on lung function of female college students. Journal of Nanjing University of Physical Education (Natural Science), 8(3), 38–40.

Wu, Y. (2006). Some effects of Taijiquan practice on cardiovascular system. Inner Mongolia Sports Science and Technology, 11(2), 39–40.

Yang, F., Ma, Y., Liang, S., Shi, Y., & Wang, C. (2024). Effect of exercise modality on heart rate variability in adults: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Reviews in Cardiovascular Medicine, 25(1), 9-18.