title: Qigong exercise with concentration predicts increased health.
abstract: Regular physical activity has many positive health effects. Despite this, approximately 50% of all adults are not exercising enough to enjoy better health and may, therefore, need an alternative to vigorous physical exercise. Qigong offers a gentle way to exercise the body. A questionnaire sample of 253 participants was collected and correlations with the variable health-now were analyzed. Results showed that health-now was positively correlated with number of completed qigong courses (p < 0.05), with level of concentration (p < 0.01), session-time (p < 0.01), and years of practice (p < 0.05). Among these variables, concentration predicts an increased feeling of health (R(2) = 0.092). Qigong exercise thereby seems to offer a viable alternative to other more vigorous physical activities when wellness is the primary goal. When interpreted using self-determination theory, qigong seems to satisfy needs related to autonomy, competence and relatedness, thereby, primarily attracting individuals who are intrinsically motivated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Orebro University, Sweden. john.jouper@hi.oru.se
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jouper
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hassmén
authors.forename: Mattias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Johansson
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D001945:Breathing Exercises; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires