Effects of Qigong exercise on muscle strengths and oxidative stress/antioxidant responses in young sedentary females: a quasi-experimental study

Author: Kultida Klarod1, Sanita Singsanan2, Niramon Thamwiriyasati2, Suphannika Ladawan3, Nongnuch Luangpon1, Patcharee Boonsiri4, Martin Burtscher5
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 Physical Therapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand.
4 Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
5 Department of Sport Science, Medical Section, Faculty of Psychology and Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
Conference/Journal: J Exerc Rehabil
Date published: 2020 Oct 27
Other: Volume ID: 16 , Issue ID: 5 , Pages: 418-426 , Special Notes: doi: 10.12965/jer.2040620.310. , Word Count: 195


Regular exercise is associated with the production of small amounts of oxidative stress which might promote individual antioxidant capacity contributing to favorable training effects potentially interrelated with skeletal muscle strength. Therefore, the present study was aimed at evaluating effects of an 8-week Qigong exercise training on muscle strengths associated with responses of oxidative stress and antioxidants in young sedentary females. A total of 41 sedentary women were allocated to the Qigong exercise group (QG, N=20) or to the control group (CG, N=21). After 8 weeks of Qigong training, back and leg strength was significantly improved compared to baseline and the CG (P<0.05). Plasma oxidative stress levels were reduced and total antioxidant capacity was enhanced in the QG compared to the CG (P<0.05). Correlation analyses revealed that improvements in muscle strength (including both groups) were associated with changes in the levels of oxidative stress (reduction) and antioxidants (elevation). The presented findings indicate that strength training effects seem at least partly to be interrelated with alterations of the oxidant-antioxidant balance generated by the 8-week Qigong training in young sedentary females.

Keywords: Antioxidants; Muscle strengths; Oxidative stress; Qigong training; Sedentary lifestyle; Young female.

PMID: 33178643 PMCID: PMC7609847 DOI: 10.12965/jer.2040620.310

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