Effects of <i>qigong</i> Training on Muscle Strengths, Flexibility, Cardiopulmonary Fitness, and Antioxidant/Oxidant Responses in Sedentary Middle-Aged and Elderly Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Women: A Quasi-Experimental Design, Placebo-Controlled Study
Author: Kultida Klarod1, Sanita Singsanan2, Nongnuch Luangpon1, Sirirat Kiatkulanusorn1, Patcharee Boonsiri3, Martin Burtscher4
Affiliation:
1 Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Burapha University, Chonburi, Thailand.
2 Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Burapha University, Chonburi, Thailand.
3 Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
4 Medical Section, Department of Sport Science, Faculty of Psychology and Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
Conference/Journal: J Integr Complement Med
Date published: 2023 Sep 6
Other:
Special Notes: doi: 10.1089/jicm.2023.0180. , Word Count: 273
Background: Qigong exercise training has been suggested to elicit beneficial effects on physical functioning, reduction of oxidative stress, and improved antioxidant capacity in women. However, regular exercise training may support the development of antioxidant defense mechanisms and beneficially modulate oxidant/antioxidant responses. Objective: To evaluate the effects of an 8-week qigong exercise training on exercise performance and oxidative stress responses in sedentary middle-aged and elderly women suffering from type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM). Method/design: Quasi-experimental design, placebo-controlled study. Setting: The Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Science, Burapha University, Thailand. Participants: Thirty-six sedentary middle-aged and elderly women with T2DM. Intervention: Participants were allocated to qigong exercise (n = 20) or to the control group (CG, n = 20). Primary outcome measures: Muscle strengths, flexibility, VO2 max predicted, and walking intensity derived from the 6-minute walk test. Secondary outcome measures: Fasting plasma glucose, antioxidant/oxidant stress parameters, and body composition. Results: Leg strength and trunk flexibility were improved after qigong training and changes were significantly different compared with the CG (all p < 0.05). VO2 max predicted, 6-min walking distance, and walking intensity were all increased (p < 0.05), and oxidative stress markers were diminished after qigong training (p < 0.05). The antioxidant/oxidant balance was improved after qigong training (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The presented findings indicate that 8 weeks of qigong training significantly improved leg strength and trunk flexibility in middle-aged and elderly women with T2DM, partly associated with a more favorable antioxidant/oxidant balance. These effects may beneficially impact on health in this specific population. Clinical Trial Number: TCTR20221003001.
Keywords: aerobic capacity; antioxidant/oxidant balance; exercise performance; metabolic changes; mind/body exercise.
PMID: 37672606 DOI: 10.1089/jicm.2023.0180
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