Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the eight trigrams boxing on cardiac function and blood indexes of old practitioners. Subjects, aged 50 years or over, were recruited from a local community. Forty-six participants joined the eight trigrams boxing exercise class five to seven times a week for 1 to 2 h each day for 5 months. Cardiac and blood indexes were measured at the end of each month. Results showed that Participants experienced significant improvements in Cardiac and blood indexes. It could be concluded that elderly people should be encouraged to exercise using eight trigrams boxing for maintaining physical function and improving quality of life.

Key words: Eight trigrams boxing, cardiac and blood indexes, Qigong.