Effects of Qi-training on heart rate variability.
This study investigates changes in autonomic nervous function through Qi-training. The power spectrum of heart rate variability (HRV) was examined in 20 sedentary healthy subjects and 20 Qi-trainees. It was found that Qi-training in healthy young subjects during controlled respiration increases the high frequency (HF) power and decreases the low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) power ratio of HRV. These results support the hypothesis that Qi-training increases cardiac parasympathetic tone. In addition, Qi-trainees were found to have higher parasympathetic heart modulation compared with their age-matched, sedentary counterparts. This augmented HRV in Qi-trainees provides further support for long-term Qi-training as a possible non-pharmacological cardio-protective maneuver. In conclusion, Qi-training may stabilize the autonomic nervous system by modulating the parasympathetic nervous system.
Lee
Myeong Soo
MS
Department of Qi-Medicine, Institute of Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Wonkwang University, Iksan, 570-749, Korea.
Huh
Hwa Jeong
HJ
Kim
Byung Gi
BG
Ryu
Hoon
H
Lee
Ho-Sub
HS
Kim
Jong-Moon
JM
Chung
Hun-Taeg
HT
D000328:Adult; D001945:Breathing Exercises; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology