Surface Electromyography Analysis of the Lower Extremities of Subjects Participating in Baduanjin Exercises

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of practicing Baduanjin exercises on the lower extremities of subjects using electromyography analysis. SUBJECTS: 110 healthy adults were randomly assigned as subjects to two groups: SG group who received sixteen weeks of Baduanjin training and CG group who received no training. METHODS: The methods used in this study included the use of a sixteen-channel sEMG system to record and measure activity changes in vastus medialis and vastus lateralis. RESULTS: After 16 weeks of Baduanjin training, the results of this study showed that the SG group had significant increases in RMS (root mean square) (in vastus lateralis, p > 0.05; in vastus medialis, p < 0.05), in AEMG (average electromyographic activity) (in vastus lateralis, p > 0.05; in vastus medialis, p < 0.05), and in IEMG (integrated electromyogram) (in vastus lateralis, p > 0.05; in vastus medialis, p < 0.05). No adverse events from treatment were reported during the whole period of this study. CONCLUSION: This study concludes that performing 16 weeks of Baduanjin training can significantly improve strength and the physical function of the lower extremities among healthy adults.