Submitted by Filipe dos Santos (fsantos@pucsp.br) on 2016-11-09T10:49:32Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Nilton Kamigauti.pdf: 18775249 bytes, checksum: fee2ef8d47303da8ab1ca5ef7a3ef5ce (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-11-09T10:49:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Nilton Kamigauti.pdf: 18775249 bytes, checksum: fee2ef8d47303da8ab1ca5ef7a3ef5ce (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-09-16 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Currently, the high levels of stress pose a challenge to the contemporaneity. Teaching is one of the key professions of our society and which presents one of the highest levels of stress. In this work, it was observed that 65,3% of teachers from two schools of São Paulo suffer from stress. The purpose of this research was to assess the effects of Tai Chi Chuan on the level of stress of teachers. The instruments used were Lipp´s Stress Symptoms Inventory for Adults (ISSL) to measure the stress levels and, to the individuals that practiced Tai Chi Chuan, a questionnaire to evaluate the impressions of such individuals on practicing Tai Chi Chuan was also used. The proceeding for the selection of participants was, initially, to apply the ISSL on the 49 participating teachers. Out of such individuals, 32 presented stress and were divided, equally (based on their level of stress, age and time they have been teaching), into 16 on the control group and 16 on the experimental group. The 16 participants of the experimental group were ministered classes of Tai Chi Chuan (including Chi Kung and meditation); during the period of 2 months, they attended 8 classes of 1 hour each, once a week. At the end of the 2-month period, the 32 participants of the 2 groups were retested with ISSL and the questionnaire to evaluate the impressions of practicing Tai Chi Chuan was applied solely to the experimental group. As a result, we observed that the experimental group presented a decrease in the stress levels in order of 77,16%, while the control group did not present any relevant change. Tai Chi Chuan was proven to be an efficient technique for stress management, being a low cost activity, easily executed within the premises of the schools themselves and that does not require any equipment to be practiced; it presented a good acceptance, probably due to the swiftly achieved positive effects. Therefore, Tai Chi Chuan was effective in the decrease of the stress levels of the participating teachers / Atualmente, os altos níveis de estresse representam um desafio à contemporaneidade. A docência é uma das profissões fundamentais de nossa sociedade a qual apresenta um dos níveis mais altos de estresse. Neste trabalho, constatou-se que 65,3% dos professores de duas escolas de São Paulo sofrem de estresse. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar os efeitos da prática do Tai Chi Chuan no nível de estresse de docentes. Os instrumentos utilizados foram o Inventário de Sintomas de Estresse para Adultos de Lipp (ISSL) para medir os níveis de estresse e, para os que praticaram o Tai Chi Chuan, também foi utilizado o questionário para avaliar as impressões da prática do Tai Chi Chuan. O procedimento para selecionar os participantes foi, incialmente, aplicar o ISSL nos 49 professores participantes. Destes, 32 apresentaram estresse e foram divididos, igualmente (com base no nível de estresse, idade e tempo que lecionam), em 16 no grupo controle e 16 no grupo experimental. Os 16 participantes do grupo experimental tiveram aulas de Tai Chi Chuan (incluindo Chi Kung e meditação); ao longo de 2 meses, participaram de 8 aulas de 1 hora de duração, 1 vez por semana. Ao final dos 2 meses, os 32 participantes dos 2 grupos foram retestados com o ISSL e apenas no grupo experimental foi aplicado o questionário para avaliar as impressões da prática do Tai Chi Chuan. Como resultado, observamos que o grupo experimental apresentou uma queda dos níveis de estresse na ordem de 77,16%, enquanto o grupo controle não apresentou mudança relevante. O Tai Chi Chuan mostrou-se uma técnica eficaz no gerenciamento do estresse, sendo uma atividade economicamente barata, de fácil execução dentro das próprias escolas e que não requer nenhum equipamento para ser praticado; apresentou boa adesão, provavelmente devido aos efeitos benéficos rapidamente alcançados. Assim, o Tai Chi Chuan foi eficiente na baixa dos níveis de estresse nos professores participantes

Purpose: Working from lifespan development theory and the theory of Selective Optimization with Compensation (SOC), I provide theoretical analyses to inform and direct research on Taijiquan where research questions involve issues of adaptive development (optimization of gains, maintenance of function, and prevention of lost resources). I also used these frameworks to construct a biopsychosocial mind-body practices model that seeks to explain and predict the role of key aspects (curriculum, practice, context) in Taiji-related development. The above frameworks are further substantiated through a comparative analysis of health status between Taijiquan practitioners (N =120; age range = 24-83, M = 54.77) and a nationally representative sample (N = 414,629; age range = 18-99, M = 54.86) collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The model's predictive potential is explored through an analysis of health status within a subset of experienced Taiji practitioners (N = 94; age range = 24-83, M = 55.82). Design: Theoretical and cross-sectional; between- and within-group comparisons. Methods: Responses from a convenience sample of Taiji practitioners were collected using an online survey. The instrument was designed to collect data on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), lifestyle variables, and Taiji practice regimens. Data from Taiji practitioners were merged with the CDC's 2008 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) dataset, forming three groups: no exercise, some exercise, and Taiji exercise. Health status was regressed on exercise group while controlling for age, income, and education, as well as the interaction between age and exercise group. Further analyses were also conducted on a subset of the Taiji data (N=94). These analyses examined the relationships among self-reported health, practice regimens, and diet while controlling for age and experience. Results: In the first set of analyses (see paper one), I controlled for the effects of age, income, education, and the differential effects of age on exercise group, while determining associations between health and group membership. A significant interaction effect (p < 0.001) occurred between age and exercise group membership. This interaction showed little difference between exercise groups in the young adult age range, but among older adults, Taijiquan practitioners displayed the best HRQoL. In the second set of analyses (see paper 2), I found significant interaction effects between (a) curricular complexity and out-of-class practice (p < 0.05) and (b) curricular complexity and diet (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The extraordinary health status trajectory among Taiji practitioners may be attributable to several conditions including: (a) the implied presence of SOC-related strategies, (b) the general benefits of psychophysical expertise, and (c) concomitant structure between Taiji-related goals and health behaviors that contributes to optimal aging. Specifically, intervention designers, Taiji teachers, and practitioners should consider the potential benefits of well rounded Taiji curricula, regular out-of-class practice, and healthy diet for optimizing health-related gains and minimizing losses typically associated with aging. / Ph. D.