Effect of Ba-Duan-Jin on Cardiovascular Autonomic Balance in Aged Women

Background/Purpose: Ba-Duan-Jin, formed in the 12th century, is an excellent traditional Chinese health exercises. Ancients likened it to “brocade (Jin)”, meaning its action is as elegant as brocade. The total movements are divided into 8 sections, so it is called “ Ba-Duan-Jin (8-section-action)”. Because of its simple action and significantly healthy effect, Ba-Duan-Jin is widely used to enhance physical fitness and prevent diseases. This study was aimed to evaluate effect of Ba-Duan-Jin on the autonomic nervous balance of cardiovascular system in ageing people.

Method:  60 healthy women (64.06±2.53 years old) were divided into exercising group and sedentary group. Exercising group trained Ba-Duan-Jin 12 weeks(5 day/week, 3 repetition/day). Postural change test to observe the cardiovascular reflex and Baroreflex Sensitivity. Record electrocardiosignal to analyze Heart Rate Variability (HRV) , and then take blood sample to measure catecholamines and acetylcholine. These measurements were performed before and after the 12-week’s intervening duration.

Analysis/Results: The sedentary group hold a higher abnormal rate of postural blood pressure reflex and a lower Baroreflex Sensitivity than Ba-Duan-Jin exercising group.  The plasma catecholamines and acetylcholine had no significant difference between two groups. The analysis of HRV showed an increasing total HRV (TF), a enhanced activity of parasympathetic nerve (RRmean, SDNN, RMSSD, HFnorm) and an attenuated activity of sympathetic nerve (LFnorm) in Ba-Duan-Jin exercising group. 

Conclusions:  Ba-Duan-Jin can transfer the autonomic nervous balance to parasympathetic dominance, which may partially explain the increasing cardiovascular function in ageing people.