Effects Of Qigong Exercise On Peripheral Muscle Strength And Endurance In Stable COPD Patients

PurposeThis research wants to observe the effects of qigong exercise on maximum muscle strength,endurance,motor-unit recruitment,muscle fatigue and respiratory self-perception in stable COPD patients.Methods40 stable COPD patients randomly divided into 2 groups,20 people per group,respectively for the control group(CG)and exercise group(EG).CG without special intervention,EG for 12 weeks qigong exercise,60 min per time(nearly 5 times,including preparation 5 min and finishing activities 5 min),2 times per day,7 days per week.All patients with clinical drugs are unchanged.Basic information was collected at the beginning.The maximum muscle strength,endurance,RMS,MF value of isometric contraction of biceps,triceps and quadriceps were measured before and after intervention.MMRC score also achieved in this test.Using the independent sample t-test to compare the difference between the pre-tests and the difference between the pre-and post-tests.Using paired sample t-test to analyze the difference of pre-and post-tests in one group.The chi-square test was used to compare the changes of dyspnea in each group.The significance level was set as P =0.05.ResultsBasic information: 37 subjects were obtained,including 19 in the CG with an average age of 67.05±1.85 years,and 18 in the EG with an average age of 66.78±1.93 years.There was no significant difference in age,height,weight and FEV1/FVC between two groups.Maximum strength: In EG the average maximum muscle strength of triceps increased significantly(P < 0.05)from 12.82±3.26 to 15.61±3.12(kg),with an increase of 21.76%.The average maximum muscle strength of quadriceps increased significantly(P < 0.05)from 24.84±5.72 to 29.99±8.50(kg),with an increase of 20.73%.Endurance: In EG the average endurance of quadriceps was significantly increased(P < 0.05)from 29.64±9.92 to 39.66±12.66(s),with an increase of 33.81%.There was no difference in the post results of biceps and triceps between two groups.RMS: In EG the average RMS of triceps increased significantly(P < 0.05)from 166.77±53.56 to 198.88±36.74(mV),with an increase of 19.25%.Rectus femoris increased significantly(P < 0.05)from 181.67±52.17 to 226.08±51.37(mV),with an increase of 24.46%.The mean RMS of biceps,vastus medialis and vastus lateral muscles showed no significant difference.MF: The mean MF of biceps,triceps and quadriceps was no significant difference between two groups.MMRC: The post result shows that EG and CG were different at levels 0,1 and 2(chi square =8.31,P = 0.04).ConclusionThree months qigong exercise is helpful to improve the peripheral skeletal muscle function of stable COPD patients in some aspects.It can improve triceps maximum muscle strength,quadriceps maximum muscle strength and endurance,triceps and rectus femoris motor-unit recruitment degree and the respiratory self-perception.