Tai Chi, Physiologic Complexity, and Healthy Aging

Exclusion Criteria

• •Chronic medical conditions, including: cardiovascular disease (myocardial infarction, angina, atrial fibrillation, or presence of a pacemaker), stroke, respiratory disease requiring daily use of an inhaler, diabetes mellitus, malignancies, neurological conditions (e.g., seizure disorder, Parkinson's, peripheral neuropathy), or other neuromuscular or musculoskeletal (requiring chronic use of pain medication) disease
• •Acute medical condition requiring hospitalization within the past 6 months
• •Self-reported (current) smoking or alcohol/drug abuse
• •Uncontrolled Hypertension (resting SBP \> 160 or DBP \> 100mm Hg)
• •Abnormal heart rate (resting HR \> 100 bpm; \<50bpm)
• •Abnormal ECG (supraventricular tachyarrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, significant ST wave abnormality, 2nd and 3rd degree heart block)
• •Pregnancy
• •Current use of prescription medications including cardio- or vaso-active drugs and medications that can affect autonomic function including Beta agonists and antagonists, drugs with anticholinergic properties (e.g. tricyclic antidepressants or anti psychotics), and cholinesterase inhibitor
• •Self-reported inability to walk continuously for 15 minutes unassisted
• •Regular Tai Chi practice within past 5 years
• •Regular participation in physical exercise on average 4 or more times per week