Effect Of Tai Chi Levels (Beginner, Master, Top Master) On Working Memory Function: A Cross-sectional Study

BACKGROUND: Limited studies have examined the long-term impact of Tai Chi practice on working memory function. PURPOSE: To compare the working memory function of three groups of Tai Chi practitioners with different levels of experience: 1) Top Masters (with over 30 years of experience), 2) Masters (with 10-29 years of experience), and 3) Tai Chi Novices (with 3-12 months of experience). METHODS: We recruited 38 healthy Tai Chi practitioners who were matched in age (60 to 80 years old) for this study. They were divided into three groups based on their years of Tai Chi training: 1) Novice (3-12 months, n = 13, age: 68.4 ± 3.4 yrs); 2) Master (10-30 years, n = 14, age: 67.4 ± 6.9 yrs); and 3) Top Master (over 30 years, n = 11, age: 67.0 ± 4.7 yrs). All participants regularly practiced Yang-style Tai Chi. We assessed the working memory function using the n-back task. RESULTS: We observed significant group effects in reaction time for the 1-back and 2-back tasks. Post hoc analysis revealed that the Top Master and Master groups had significantly faster reaction times in completing the 2-back task compared to the Novice group (Novice vs. Master: p < 0.01, Novice vs. Top Master: p < 0.05). Moreover, the Master group had significantly faster reaction times in completing the 1-back task compared to the Novice group (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that long-term Tai Chi training (over 10 years) may lead to greater improvements in working memory function compared to Tai Chi beginners. General Research Fund (reference number: 14605617)