Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of a 12-month ki-gong exercise program on obesity, physical flexibility, blood pressure and blood sugar in rural populations. Method: A 12-month ki-gong exercise session was conducted from September 2008 until August 2009 with 61 village attendees at a Healthcare Clinic, as part of an Oriental herb program at the health center. Data was collected three times; before the program initiation, at six months and at the end of the program. A one-group repeated measures ANOVA test was conducted for statistical validation using SPSS 12.0. Results: Participants showed a decrease in obesity (F=10.166, p=0.02), body weight (F=10.861, p=0.002) and body fat (F=36.311, p=0.000). They also showed an increase in physical flexibility(F=24.627, p=0.000), while systolic blood pressure and (F=8.550, p=0.005) blood sugar (F=5.464, p=0.023) decreased. Conclusion: The results of this study indicates that ki-gong exercise exhibits beneficial effects in decreasing obesity, blood pressure and blood sugar and enhancing physical flexibility.

Keywords

• Ki-gong exercise

• 기공체조;