The Qigong and Tai Chi “evidence base” is evolving very positively.
In a very impressive and thorough article on the current state of exercise science, Qigong and Tai Ji (Tai Chi) are listed among exercises that the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) suggests in new guidelines for professionals who recommend exercise and physical activity for wellness and disease prevention as well as for chronic disease and disability management.
Exercise-Science
The article states: “Neuromotor exercise training, sometimes called functional fitness training, incorporates motor skills such as balance, coordination, gait, and agility, and proprioceptive training. Multifaceted physical activities such as tai ji (tai chi), qigong, and yoga involve varying combinations of neuromotor exercise, resistance exercise, and flexibility exercise. Neuromotor exercise training is beneficial as part of a comprehensive exercise program…….” See link below.
The article does not, sadly, point to the benefits of coordination of body, breath and mind and the emerging research on Meditative Movement or Mindful Movement. Still, this article in the journal of Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise (MSSE) is another profound landmark in the evolution of the appreciation of Qigong and Tai Chi by the conventional medical and scientific community. This means, of course, that future policy and funding may trend toward greater access to Qigong and Tai Chi by greater populations. And, the trend towards wider use and wider prescription of Tai Chi and Qigong by health care and medical providers.
The article written by myself and IIQTC graduate, Dr Linda Larkey, and published in the Am Journal of Health Promotion (AJHP) is referenced in the ACSM/MSSE article and it appears it is the only reference that was cited to evidence that Qigong was worthy of endorsement.
http://www.preparedpatientforum.org/research/support_063010.pdf
It and several other articles were referenced for Tai Chi (Tai Ji).
Very exciting news indeed!
THE LINK for THE ACSM ARTICLE:
http://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/Fulltext/2011/07000/Quantity_and_Quality_of_Exercise_for_Developing.26.aspx
AN EASIER URL: http://tinyurl.com/3w2ey3a
Quantity and Quality of Exercise for Developing and Maintaining Cardiorespiratory, Musculoskeletal, and Neuromotor Fitness in Apparently Healthy Adults: Guidance for Prescribing Exercise
Garber, Carol Ewing Ph.D., FACSM, (Chair); Blissmer, Bryan Ph.D.; Deschenes, Michael R. PhD, FACSM; Franklin, Barry A. Ph.D., FACSM; Lamonte, Michael J. Ph.D., FACSM; Lee, I-Min M.D., Sc.D., FACSM; Nieman, David C. Ph.D., FACSM; Swain, David P. Ph.D., FACSM
