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Western Journal of Nursing Research
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Qigong Improving Physical Status in Middle-Aged Women

Yi-Kuei Tsai

Far East College

Hsing-Hsia Chen

Chung-Yuan Christian University

I-Hsin Lin

China Medical University

Mei-Ling Yeh

National Taipei College of Nursing, meiling{at}ntcn.edu.tw

Regular exercise has been shown to benefit its practitioners and prevent and control diseases. Muscle/Tendon Change Classic (MTCC) qigong, characterized by simple, slow, and full-body exercise, is appropriate for the middle-age population. This study aims to evaluate the effect of the MTCC qigong program in improving physical status for middle-aged women. A quasi-experimental design was used. The experimental group (n = 37) received an 8-week MTCC qigong program, whereas the control group (n = 34) received none. Physiological parameters of muscular performance, body composition, and bone strength were measured before and after the program. The average age was 49 ± 4.13 years for the experimental group and 50 ± 4.74 years for the control group. The demographic characteristics were homogeneous between the two groups. There were statistically significant differences between the two groups in muscular endurance, body fat, waist-to-hip ratio, and body mass index at the completion of 8-week MTCC qigong program. The MTCC qigong could improve muscle endurance and body composition but not bone strength for middle-aged women, thereby demonstrating the qigong practice has certain health-preserving effects on women in this stage of life.

Key Words: Qigong • muscle strength • body composition • bone strength

This version was published on December 1, 2008

Western Journal of Nursing Research, Vol. 30, No. 8, 915-927 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/0193945908319991
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