The effects of Baduanjin exercise on the psychological condition and heart rate variability of sports-disadvantaged college students: A randomised trial

The Impact of Baduanjin Exercise on Mental Health and Heart Rate Variability in College Students

Study Overview

This study looked at how a 16-week Baduanjin exercise program affected the mental health and heart rate variability (HRV) of college students who face challenges in sports. The goal was to see if this exercise could help improve their psychological well-being.

Trial Details

A total of 93 students from Wuyi University participated. These students were not meeting the National Standards for Physical Health due to health issues. They were divided into two groups: one group did the Baduanjin exercise (46 participants), and the other group did not participate in any exercise (47 participants).

Methods Used

Before and after the 16 weeks, we measured the mental health status using the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) and assessed heart rate variability through specific indices.

Key Findings

Mental Health Improvement: The group that practiced Baduanjin showed significant improvements in mental health scores, particularly in areas like interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, and sleep issues (P < 0.05).
Heart Rate Changes: The Baduanjin group also experienced a notable drop in heart rate and improvements in HRV, indicating better heart health (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Participating in Baduanjin exercise for 16 weeks can significantly improve both mental health and heart rate variability, which may help in better managing overall mental well-being.

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