Effects of Qigong TRAINING on Body Composition, Fitness and Bone Mineral Density in the Elderly

This study investigated the effects on body composition, physical fitness, and bone mineral density (BMD) of 20 elderly women aged 60 or older residing in G city, K province who participated in the Dahn-taekwondo Qigong program for the elderly for 1 hour per day, 3 times a week for 3 months. This study examined the suitability of incorporating elderly Qigong program into the exercise prescription program for the elderly with decreased phys-ical activity ability. The results showed that the Dahn-taekwondo Qigong program showed a significant decrease only in body fat percentage among the elderly women’s body composition. For the fitness factor, all the fitness factors except cardiopulmonary endurance for the normal weight group and agility and dynamic equilibrium measures for the overweight group were significantly improved. Also, it showed a significant increase in the BMD of the normal weight group. Based on the observations mentioned above, participating in Qigong program for the elderly will be suitable as a health promotion program for the elderly by improving BMD and fitness factors even though the body composition does not change so much.