Intensity level and cardiorespiratory responses to Baduanjin exercise in patients with chronic heart failure

Baduanjin (eight silken movements), a traditional Chinese exercise, is an alternative to the most common cardiac rehabilitation programmes due to their scarcity and unaffordability in China. The aim of this study was to measure the intensity and energy expenditure during Baduanjin and to determine the relative oxygen consumption (VO₂ ) and heart rate (HR) responses of Baduanjin compared with maximal capacity in patients with chronic heart failure.

Twenty participants (age: 65 ± 10 years, male: n = 17) with New York Heart Association II-III volunteered for this study. Participants were examined during two separate sessions, with 1-2 weeks between sessions. During session one, a symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise testing was performed on a cycle ergometer for measurement of maximal exercise capacity. Additionally, participants were taught Baduanjin exercise from a professional coach and were required to do it at home until the second session when their technique was confirmed by the coach. During session two, participants performed one 9 min round of Baduanjin with continuous measurement of VO₂ and HR. Measurements obtained during the Baduanjin were compared with data obtained during cardiopulmonary exercise testing. While performing Baduanjin, the mean VO₂ and HR were 7.1 ± 1.2 mL/kg/min and 86.1 ± 15.2 b.p.m., respectively. Compared with the cardiopulmonary exercise test, the VO₂ was 44% of their VO_2max and 67% of their HR_max , categorizing Baduanjin as a moderate-intensity exercise. The average energy expenditure during Baduanjin was 23.3 ± 4.4 kcal. Additionally, the VO₂ and HR responses during Baduanjin both exhibited a bimodal pattern.

The results suggest that Baduanjin is a moderate-intensity aerobic exercise that could be an effective and safe exercise modality for home-based cardiac rehabilitation.