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

Author: Zou L1,2, Zhang Y3, Sasaki JE4, Yeung AS5, Yang L6,7, Loprinzi PD8, Sun J9, Liu S10, Yu JJ11, Sun S12, Mai Y13
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>Faculty of Athletic Training, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou 510500, China. liyezou123@gmail.com. <sup>2</sup>Lifestyle (Mind-Body Movement) Research Center, College of Sports Science, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China. liyezou123@gmail.com. <sup>3</sup>Health and Exercise Science Laboratory, Institute of Sports Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea. elite_zhangyj@163.com. <sup>4</sup>Department of Sport Sciences, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG 38025-440, Brazil. jeffersasaki@gmail.com. <sup>5</sup>Depression Clinical and Research Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA. ayeung@mgh.harvard.edu. <sup>6</sup>Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Research, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB T2S 3G3, Canada. lin.yang@ahs.ca. <sup>7</sup>Departments of Oncology and Community Health Sciences, Cunning School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada. lin.yang@ahs.ca. <sup>8</sup>Department of Health, Exercise Science and Recreation Management School of Applied Sciences, The University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS 36877, USA. pdloprin@olemiss.edu. <sup>9</sup>Faculty of Athletic Training, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou 510500, China. sjian@vip.sohu.com. <sup>10</sup>Department of Physical Education, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China. liushijie0411@whut.edu.cn. <sup>11</sup>Sports and Exercise Psychology Laboratory, Department of Sports, Science and Physical Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China. yujie@cuhk.edu.hk. <sup>12</sup>Institute of Physical Education, Huzhou University, Huzhou 313000, China. sysun@zjhu.edu.cn. <sup>13</sup>College of Chinese Martial Arts, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou 510500, China. MAIYQ1973@163.com.
Conference/Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health.
Date published: 2019 Apr 18
Other: Volume ID: 16 , Issue ID: 8 , Special Notes: doi: 10.3390/ijerph16081396. , Word Count: 235


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, I2 = 24.06%), diastolic blood pressure (DBP, SMD = 0.62, 95% CI 0.22 to 1.00, p < 0.001, I2 = 61.28%), total plasma cholesterol (TC, SMD = 0.88, 95% CI 0.41 to 1.36, p < 0.001, I2 = 78.71%), triglyceride (TG, SMD = 0.87, 95% CI 0.49 to 1.24, p < 0.001, I2 = 67.22%), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C, SMD = 1.24, 95% CI 0.76 to 1.72, p < 0.001, I2 = 78.27%), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL, SMD = 0.95, 95% CI 0.43 to 1.46, p < 0.001, I2 = 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: Qigong; exercise; metabolic syndrome; mind–body exercise; risk factor

PMID: 31003412 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16081396