Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate cardiovascular responses during qigong (Shao Lin Nui Jin Yi Zhi Chan) which is one of the methods in Chinese qigong. One male qigong instructor participated as a subject. The following results were obtained: Heart rates during primary grade static qigong were 121 bpm in average and 137 bpm at the maximum level. In the high grade static qigong heart rates were 94 bpm in average and 101 bpm at maximum. During spontaneous dynamic qigong heart rates fluctuated in the range of 80 to 160 bpm. Heart rate, ventilation and oxygen uptake increased markedly after 35 min of starting static qigong. It was observed that style 2 and 4 contributed to the increase in heart rate and oxygen uptake compared to style 3 and 5. Heart rate related to the certain oxygen uptake tended to be higher during qigong than walking and running. The results of the present study suggested that the qigong subjected in the study has some influences to the autonomic nervous system even if the movement of qigong was not dynamic as walking and running. Verf.-Referat (gekuerzt)