Understanding the Benefits of Standing and Sitting Baduanjin Based on Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing: An Observational Study

Objectives: Although Baduanjin (a traditional Chinese physical activity) has been reported to promote general health, the optimal exercise intensity and kinematic characteristics of this intervention remain poorly understood. This investigation aimed to quantify and compare the exercise intensities of traditional standing Baduanjin (TB) and sitting Baduanjin (SB) using cardiopulmonary exercise testing, to further clarify the sources of the previously observed benefits of this modality. Study design: Observational study. Interventions: Healthy individuals were recruited to perform TB, SB, and cycling (in order) until they reached their ventilatory threshold. Intensity-relevant parameters based on type of exercise and specific time points (exercise start and the end of the 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th set of motion) were compared between TB and SB with ventilatory threshold as control. Results: Forty individuals (18 male and 22 female) completed the trial. Significant differences in peak oxygen uptake, metabolic equivalent of task, and Borg scale existed among the three exercise types, indicating a decreasing overall exercise intensity in the order of ventilatory threshold, TB, and SB. All parameters except the respiratory exchange ratio fluctuated significantly across the time points. Conclusions: Both TB and SB resulted in a significantly lower exercise intensity when compared with the ventilatory threshold established through cycling exercise. The benefits of Baduanjin might be explained partly by its appropriate exercise intensity and intermittent intensity pattern. Baduanjin might be a potential alternative to existing schemes for exercise rehabilitation.