05.21.09
Posted in Obesity & Weight loss, Qigong at 9:50 pm by Dr. Pharm Tao
Muscle/Tendon Change Classic (MTCC) Qigong is an exercise with simple, slow, and full-body movements. It has been found beneficial for the middle-age population. Researchers studied the effect of the MTCC Qigong program on physical status among middle-aged women (Tsai et al., 2008).
In the study, the experimental group had 37 participants with average age of 49 +/- 4.13 years. They received an 8-week MTCC qigong program. The researchers measured physiological parameters of muscular performance, body composition, and bone strength before and after the Qigong practice.
The researchers observed significant differences between the Qigong and control groups in parameters including muscular endurance, body fat, waist-to-hip ratio, and body mass index. The study showed that MTCC qigong could benefit muscle endurance and body composition, but not bone strength among middle-aged women. The study suggests that the Qigong practice may help improve physical status in these women.
Reference:
Tsai, Y. K., Chen, H. H., et al. (2008) Qigong improving physical status in middle-aged women. West J Nurs Res 30, 915-927.
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05.14.09
Posted in Obesity & Weight loss, Qigong at 11:18 am by Dr. Pharm Tao
Researchers in Australia evaluated the effects of Tai Chi and Qigong exercise on metabolic syndrome and glycaemic control in patients with elevated blood glucose (Xin et al., 2008). Eleven people aged 42-65 years with elevated blood glucose participated the examination.
During the study, participants had Tai Chi and Qigong exercise training for 1 to 1.5 hours, three times per week for twelve weeks. The researchers found that there was good adherence and high acceptability for the program. They observed significant improvements in four of the seven indicators of metabolic syndrome including body mass index, waist circumference, and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Small improvements were observed in HbA1c, fasting insulin, and insulin resistance.
The study indicates that Tai Chi Qigong practice is feasible and acceptable. The practice may help control metabolic syndrome and blood glucose levels. Further studies at larger scales are necessary to confirm such results and to understand the mechanisms of Qigong practice.
Reference:
Xin, L., Miller, Y. D., et al. (2008) A preliminary study of the effects of Tai Chi and Qigong medical exercise on indicators of metabolic syndrome and glycaemic control in adults with elevated blood glucose. Br J Sports Med.
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05.12.09
Posted in Infectious Diseases, Influenza & Cold, Qigong at 12:35 pm by Dr. Pharm Tao
Taiji (T’ai Chi) Qigong practice has been found to improve immune function. Researchers at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign examined the effects of moderate traditional Taiji and Qigong (TQ) practice on the immune response to influenza vaccine in older adults (Yang et al., 2008). These adults had practiced Qigong for five months.
Totally fifty older adults were involved in the study. The researchers measured anti-influenza hemagglutination (HA) inhibition titers. They observed
• A significant elevation in the magnitude and duration of the antibody response to influenza vaccine in Qigong practitioners, compared with controls.
• A significant between-group difference at 3 and 20 weeks after the vaccination.
• At 20 weeks, the Qigong group had significantly higher titers in comparison with the pre-vaccine time point, but the controls did not have such changes.
• A higher percentage of Qigong practitioners responded to the influenza A strains with a protective antibody response.
The study indicates that traditional Qigong practice may improve the antibody response to influenza vaccine in older adults. Further study is necessary to confirm and explore the mechanisms of such protective effects.
Reference:
Yang, Y., Verkuilen, J., et al. (2008) Effects of a traditional Taiji/Qigong curriculum on older adults’ immune response to influenza vaccine. Med Sport Sci 52, 64-76.
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