Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of Tai Chi exercise on Cardiorespiratory function and to identify directions for future research. Method: 19 articles from Medline search of english journals(1981-2004) and 2 from Korean nursing journals were surveyed. The contents analysis were focused on outcome measures and relative factors regarding cardiopulmonary function. Results: There are 21 articles including 8 articles with quasi experimental design, 7 articles with randomized controlled design and 6 articles with comparative non experimental research design. The major subjects of research were older adults, but hypertensive patients, cardiac rehabilitative patient, and osteoarthritic patient also included. The major style of Tai Chi was Yang style with 108-form. The duration of Tai Chi exercise was from 12weeks to 13.2 years in comparative non experimental studies, but 6 weeks to 16weeks in randomized controlled experimental studies. The most effective duration for cardiopulmonary function was over 16weeks. The variables for cardiopulmonary function were blood pressure, heart rate and cardiopulmonary function via $VO_2$ max(ml/kg/min). To reduce the blood pressure in the result was found in 2 articles, to reduce the heart beat was found in 1 article, to improve the cardiopulmonary function via $VO_2$ max in results were found in 7 articles(73%) among 11 articles. Conclusion: The Tai Chi exercise over 16weeks improves the cardiopulmonary function. It is suggested that to verify the effect of Tai Chi on cardiopulmonary function, the difference of gender, age, health status will be identified through repeated experiments.