Tai Chi exercise improves working memory capacity and emotion regulation ability.

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Exercise Science
• Mental Health

Background:

• Working memory and emotional regulation are crucial for academic success and overall well-being in college students.
• Traditional sports interventions often focus on physical fitness, with less emphasis on cognitive and emotional benefits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the promoting effects of Tai Chi exercise on working memory capacity in college students.
• To examine the impact of Tai Chi on emotional regulation ability among college students.

Main Methods:

• A 12-week randomized controlled trial involving 55 college students, divided into a Tai Chi group and a control group.
• The Tai Chi group engaged in 12 weeks of Tai Chi training; the control group performed traditional sports of equal intensity.
• Pre- and post-intervention assessments included the visual 2-back test for working memory and the Geneva emotional picture system test for emotion regulation.

Main Results:

• The Tai Chi group showed significant improvements in visual memory capacity, with higher Accuracy Rate (AR) and faster Response Time (RT) compared to the control group (p < 0.05).
• Participants in the Tai Chi group exhibited significantly reduced emotional volatility, with lower differences in valence, arousal, and dominance post-intervention (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• Tai Chi exercise effectively enhances working memory capacity and improves emotional regulation in college students.
• The findings suggest Tai Chi's action memory training component may be responsible for cognitive and emotional benefits.
• Regular Tai Chi practice is recommended for adolescents experiencing mood instability and emotional regulation difficulties.