Wuqinxi Qigong as an Alternative Exercise for Improving Risk Factors Associated with Metabolic Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Liye Zou, Yangjie Zhang, Jeffer Eidi Sasaki, Albert S. Yeung, Lin Yang, Paul D. Loprinzi, Jian Sun, Shijie Liu, Jane Jie Yu, Shengyan Sun and Yuqiang Mai
Additional contact information
Liye Zou: Faculty of Athletic Training, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou 510500, China
Yangjie Zhang: Health and Exercise Science Laboratory, Institute of Sports Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
Jeffer Eidi Sasaki: Department of Sport Sciences, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG 38025-440, Brazil
Albert S. Yeung: Depression Clinical and Research Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
Lin Yang: Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Research, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB T2S 3G3, Canada
Paul D. Loprinzi: Department of Health, Exercise Science and Recreation Management School of Applied Sciences, The University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS 36877, USA
Jian Sun: Faculty of Athletic Training, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou 510500, China
Shijie Liu: Department of Physical Education, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China
Jane Jie Yu: Sports and Exercise Psychology Laboratory, Department of Sports, Science and Physical Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China
Shengyan Sun: Institute of Physical Education, Huzhou University, Huzhou 313000, China
Yuqiang Mai: College of Chinese Martial Arts, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou 510500, China

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 8, 1-15

Abstract: Background: The improvement of living standards has led to increases in the prevalence of hypokinetic diseases. In particular, multifactorial complex diseases, such as metabolic syndrome, are becoming more prevalent. Currently, developing effective methods to combat or prevent metabolic syndrome is of critical public health importance. Thus, we conducted a systematic review to evaluate the existing literature regarding the effects of Wuqinxi exercise on reducing risk factors related to metabolic syndrome. Methods: Both English- and Chinese-language databases were searched for randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of Wuqinxi on these outcomes. Meanwhile, we extracted usable data for computing pooled effect size estimates, along with the random-effects model. Results: The synthesized results showed positive effects of Wuqinxi exercise on systolic blood pressure (SBP, SMD = 0.62, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.85, p < 0.001, I 2 = 24.06%), diastolic blood pressure (DBP, SMD = 0.62, 95% CI 0.22 to 1.00, p < 0.001, I 2 = 61.28%), total plasma cholesterol (TC, SMD = 0.88, 95% CI 0.41 to 1.36, p < 0.001, I 2 = 78.71%), triglyceride (TG, SMD = 0.87, 95% CI 0.49 to 1.24, p < 0.001, I 2 = 67.22%), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C, SMD = 1.24, 95% CI 0.76 to 1.72, p < 0.001, I 2 = 78.27%), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL, SMD = 0.95, 95% CI 0.43 to 1.46, p < 0.001, I 2 = 82.27%). In addition, regression results showed that longer-duration Wuqinxi intervention significantly improved DBP ( β = 0.00016, Q = 5.72, df = 1, p = 0.02), TC ( β = −0.00010, Q = 9.03, df = 1, p = 0.01), TG ( β = 0.00012, Q = 6.23, df = 1, p = 0.01), and LDL ( β = 0.00011, Q = 5.52, df = 1, p = 0.02). Conclusions: Wuqinxi may be an effective intervention to alleviate the cardiovascular disease risk factors of metabolic syndrome.

Keywords: exercise; Qigong; mind–body exercise; metabolic syndrome; risk factor (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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