The Effects of Combined Exercise Program Based on Qigong on the Body Composition and Physical Fitness of Rural Elderly People |
Ji-Sun Kim, Soo-Yeon Kim |
Myongji University |
Correspondence:
Ji-Sun Kim, Email: dsjy100@hanmail.net |
Received: 23 September 2010 • Accepted: 19 October 2010 |
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Abstract |
INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a combined exercise program utilizing Qigong exercise on the body composition and physical fitness of rural elderly people.
METHOD The subjects in this study were 10 sick senior citizens in the region of Y, North Chungcheong Province. The selected people were suffered from chronic diseases including arthritis, hernia of an disks, or an injury from falling, and were able to participate in physical activities and a Qigong- based combined exercise program. A combined exercise program that consisted of Qigong exercise and senior gymnastics was conducted during a 24-week period of time, three times a week, 60 minutes a day. RESULT First, regarding body composition, there was a significant decrease in their weight(p<.05), body fat (p<.05), BMI(p<.05) and abdominal fat(p<.05), and they showed an increase in fat-free rate(p<.05). Second, as to physical fitness, they showed a significant improvement in grip(p<.05), flexibility(p<.05), agility(p<.05) and balance(p<.01). Third, as a result of asking whether their illness took a turn for the better, whether their physical fitness improved and whether there was a change in their way of looking at exercise, they all gave positive answers. CONCLUSION The study suggested that the regular participation of the rural senior citizens with chronic diseases in the Qigong-based combined exercise program had an effect on their body composition, physical fitness, and psychology. |
Keywords:
Qigong exercise, Combined exercise program, Body composition, Change of physical fitness |
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