Dynamic changes on brain function during early stage of Tai Chi training: A motor imagery-based fMRI study

Accumulating evidence suggests that regular engagement in physical activity, especially structured physical exercise with complex movement patterns like Tai Chi, is linked to change in brain function as measured by spontaneous and task-evoked neural activities. However, studies on brain function at the early stage of Tai Chi training have yet been conducted despite the fact that understanding changes in neurological activities of motor skill learning at the early stage would facilitate more effective teaching and coaching. To this end, we conducted a longitudinal study in which functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to collect data on brain function and behavioral measures during the early stage of Tai Chi training at multiple time points. Nineteen college students who had no Tai Chi experience were recruited in this study and they were arranged to attend 14-week Tai Chi training program. Of note, Tai Chi training session was recorded in order to evaluate the quality of Tai Chi form and its skill level (conducted by professor specializing in Tai Chi). Outcome measures were conducted at Week 2, Week 8, and Week 14. Meanwhile, 10 age-and gender-matched college students were considered as control group and they were asked to maintain their unaltered lifestyle with the same outcome measures being arranged at baseline and Week 14. Siemens 3.0 T MRI scanner was used to synchronously collect data on brain function when participants performed a motor imagery task. Group differences on Tai Chi skill level, temporal congruence, and functional activations were investigated using ANOVA while pearson product-moment correlation was performed to examine relationships between them. Behavioral results showed a learning curve on Tai Chi skill level from slow (Week 2 to Week 8) to fast (after Week 8) as the quality of motor imagery gradually improved. fMRI results showed a similiar pattern of change on brain activities, which changed slowly (Week 2 to Week 8) and increased fastly (after Week 8). Such behavioral changes on skill level were significantly linked to functional activations in the left superior temporal gyrus and the left precuneus. Motor skill learning has followed a pattern of “slow first, fast later”, which is supported by changes on brain activities in the left superior temporal gyrus and the left precuneus. In addition, Tai Chi is a type of a motor-cognitive exercise with relatively complex movement and its unique routine provides learners with an opportunity to optimize brain function.