How Tai Chi Chan Can Improve Performance in Sport Activities - Research Paper Example

How Tai Chi Chuan can improve performance in sport activities? Many of the modern martial arts were originated in China and Tai chi Chuan is one among them. Tai chi Chuan is believed to be originated in China around 5000 years before. It focuses mainly on defense mechanisms rather than offense techniques. Today Tai chi Chuan is practiced in many countries not only as a martial art, but also as an exercise which provides health benefits. Tai Chi Chuan can contribute heavily to the physical and mental health of people who practices it. In order to win sports events, sports persons need good physical and mental health. Sports personalities often engage in different exercises in order to strengthen their physical and mental health. For example, running, weight training etc are some of the exercises used for strengthening physical health whereas Yoga, deep breathing etc like exercises used for improving the mental health. The advantage of practicing Tai Chi Chuan for sports personalities is the fact that it can provide both physical and mental strength at the same time. It is not necessary for the sports people to practice different exercises to improve their stamina and will power, if they practice Tai Chi Chuan. In short, “Tai Chi is all about balancing and harmony” (About Tai Chi). It helps people not only as a defense mechanism, but also as an effective tool for improving physical and mental health. In short, Tai Chi originated as a martial art; however, it is currently used extensively for improving physical & mental health and also in improving the performances in sports events. Baseball, Running, Golf, tennis etc are some of the popular sports events in which Tai Chi Chuan helps the sports people. This paper analyses the positive effects of Tai Chi Chuan upon our health and its role in helping sports personalities in improving their performances. Some of the major health benefits associated with Tai chi are “Stress reduction, Improving balance, flexibility and muscle strength; Improving sleep quality; Lowering blood pressure; Increasing energy, endurance and agility and Improving overall feelings of well-being etc” (Mayo Clinic Staff). Stress can cause physical and mental problems. It is believed that many of the physical and mental diseases have some connection with the stress levels of the patient. The following illustrations provide a brief idea about the extent to which stress can cause physical and mental problems. (Dr. Babu) “Daily practice of Tai Chi promotes mental clarity and a healthy body, assists with balance and helps the circulation of the blood” (What is Tai Chi Chuan?). Tai Chi Chuan can reduce the stress levels of a person immensely and thus it can prevent stress related diseases up to certain extent. Deep breathing is one of the major exercises included in the tai chi exercises. Deep breathing is accepted globally as the major mechanism for stress reduction. Deep breathing helps the people to absorb more oxygen to their body which will enhance the brain activities. Enhanced brain activities will help a person to think more rationally and to eliminate the stress. Thus, the deep breathing techniques used in Tai Chi can help people to reduce their stress. Blood pressure, sugar level and cholesterol levels in the body can be adjusted to the optimum level, if Tai Chi practiced regularly. “Tai chi is often described as "meditation in motion," but it might well be called "medication in motion” (World Tai Chi & Qigong Day). Tai Chi exercises can be practiced even while a person is in motion. For example, while travelling in a vehicle, the person can practice deep breathing exercises as advised by Tai Chi Chuan. Attention deficit disorder (ADD) is one of the major health problems in many countries. Even though, it is seen more often among the children, it can cause problems to the adults also. ADD prevents a person from giving attention to a particular subject for longer periods. “Tai Chi may be a wonderful adjunct therapy for treating ADD because it augments many of the mood management techniques recommended for ADD sufferers according to a study conducted by University of Miami School of Medicine” (Sports & Life Enhancements). Eating disorders can also be treated with the help of practicing Tai Chi Chuan. Tai Chi Chuan is a mechanism which blends the good things of the martial arts and athleticism. Martial artists often accused the athletes for their lack of martial skills whereas athletes often accused martial artists for their inability to demonstrate athleticism in their movements. For a healthy living, the skills of martial artists and athletes are required. Tai Chi Chuan is a blend of martial arts and athleticism and thus it can be treated as a mechanism for leading a healthy life. Tai Chi Chuan can help the sports personalities immensely in improving their performances by improving their physical and mental strength. Most of the sports activities need physical and mental strength to perform well. More over utmost concentration is also necessary for performing better in sports activities. Running, Golf, tennis, baseball etc are some of the sports events in which Tai Chi can help the athlete or the sports person immensely. 100 meters race is one of the prestigious athletic events in the world. Enormous physical and mental strength, immense concentration etc are necessary for completing this race successfully. 100 meters race is normally completed within 10 seconds at the world level or in Olympics games. Because of the above fact, the lapse of concentration even for a moment can take the victory away from an athlete in this event. Practicing Tai Chi can help a runner to concentrate fully on the race till it ends. Moreover, Tai Chi can improve the breathing habits of an athlete. In other words, it can improve the absorption of oxygen very much. More oxygen consumption will improve the blood circulation and thereby the physical and mental strength of athletes. Golf is another sports event in which Tai Chi can help the players to hit the ball towards the targets. It is a fact that Golf is a game more dependent on feeling rather than sight. The golfer hit the ball, watching the target may not get the desired result because of his tension about the outcome of his shot. On the other hand, the golfer who rely more on his feeling rather than watching the target may get better results. Tai Chi Chuan helps the golfer to avoid over anxiety about the outcome of the event and the golfer can concentrate more on the shot rather than the target. Tiger Woods, the world’s number one golfer has admitted the role of Tai Chi in his supernatural performances. Normally, muscles of the golfer obstruct the free swing of the golf ball. Tai Chi’s movements mainly depend on the limb motion rather than the movements of the muscle. The involvement of muscles in the swing can reduce the actual force applied by the golfer on the ball. If the golfer was able to reduce the involvement of muscles in the swing, he can transfer all the forces he generated to the ball and can hit the ball to longer distances. In short, a golfer who is practicing Tai Chi can hit the ball more freely than a golfer who does not practiced Tai Chi. Tennis is another sports event in which Tai Chi can help the players to improve their performances. In tennis also increased control over the shot is necessary for the players to hit the ball to the right places. Whether it is forehand or backhand return, accuracy is the ultimate factor which determines the success and failures of a tennis player. As in the case of Golf, tennis players can also hit the ball without looking at the target, if they practice Tai Chi. Moreover, they can feel less pressure on their knees while playing tennis, after practicing Tai Chi Chuan. Even while not playing tennis, a tennis player can still improve his game if he practices Tai Chi Chuan. In other words, Tai Chi can help a tennis player both on and off the court. In short, if practiced properly and regularly, tai chi can help the tennis players to hit the balls with more power and greater accuracy. To conclude, Tai Chi Chuan originated as a martial art, but at present it is more used medical science and sports events. Practicing Tai Chi Chuan can help the people in reducing the stress levels immensely. Thus, lot of physical and mental problems associated with higher stress levels can be solved or better managed. Attention deficit disorder, eating disorder etc are some of the psychological problems which can be controlled or treated with the help of Tai Chi Chuan. In sports also, Tai Chi can be used effectively. Running, golf, tennis, baseball etc are some of the sports events in which Tai Chi can help the sports persons to improve their performances. In short, Tai Chi’s importance as a mechanism to lead a healthy life cannot be underestimated even though it is a martial art. Works Cited 1. “About Tai Chi”. 2009. Web. 09 March 2011. 2. Dr. Babu, Hanish M.D. “Diseases Caused By Stress”. 2007. Web. 09 March 2011. 3. Mayo Clinic Staff. “Tai chi: Discover the Many Possible Health Benefits”. 2011. Web. 09 March 2011. 4. “Sports & Life Enhancements”. Web. 09 March 2011. 5. “World Tai Chi & Qigong Day”. Web. 09 March 2011. 6. “What is Tai Chi Chuan?”. Web. 09 March 2011. Read More