The Effect of Guang-Im-Ju-Jai-Gong Qigong Promoting Program on Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) Anti-Oxidative Capacity in Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

Background: Metabolic syndrome (Mets) is a global health problem which can develop into a chronic disease. Oxidative stress is an important mechanism that activates endothelial dysfunction in Mets and can later progress to crucial pathogenic vascular disease. The increase in anti-oxidative capacity is the mechanism which protects the endothelial cell from reactive oxygen species. Qigong is a type of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) exercise that has previously shown benefits on reducing the risk factor of Mets but no reports on the anti-oxidative capacity has been documented.

Objective: To demonstrate the effects of the Guang-Im-Ju-Jai-Gong Qigong (GQ) Promoting Program on Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) Anti-Oxidative Capacity in metabolic syndrome (Mets) group  after the 12 week promoting program.

Methods: Fifty-five female metabolic participants aged 40-65 years with metabolic syndrome were randomly allocated to the control (n=27), GQ promoting program (n=28). The GQ promoting program group performed Guang-Im-Ju-Jai-Gong Qigong 1 hour per day, 4 times per week for 12 weeks and the control group received health education and performed usual activities. Plasma Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) Anti-Oxidative Capacity and peak oxygen consumption (VO_2peak) were measured at baseline and after the program completion. The subject characteristics were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. The Independent-Sample T-Test was used to identify the difference of between groups and Paired-Sample T-Test for the within group difference.

Results:  Within 12 weeks of GQ promoting program, the FRAP level increased significant from baseline, 41.48±16.72 ng/L to 63.03±16.71 ng/L. At the 12th week of the promoting program, (p<0.05) and increased functional capacity which enhanced VO_2peak from 23.58±4.56 ml/kg/min to 26.11±3.48 ml/kg/min, (p<0.05). Moreover, there was a decrease of the systolic blood pressure from 134.89±15.72 to 124.82±15.12 mmHg at the12th week promoting program (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The improvement of FRAP level, fitness function (VO_2peak), and systolic blood pressure after performing 12 weeks of GQ promoting program can indicate that GQ promoting program is an alternative type of exercise which can reduce the risk of vascular disease in Mets group. With the indication stated, the GQ promoting program can be one of the health promotion strategies for Mets group. Furthermore, GQ promoting program is an exercise for both the mind and the body, easy to practice, cost efficient as well as pose many advantageous health benefits.