Effects of Baduanjin Exercise on Improving Health in Sedentary Young and Middle-Aged Adults

A Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Mechanisms of Baduanjin on Improving Health Outcomes in Sedentary Young and Middle-Aged Adults

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a 12-week Baduanjin exercise program can improve health in sedentary young and middle-aged adults. The main questions it aims to answer are:

1. Does the Baduanjin program improve participants' cardiorespiratory fitness (measured as peak oxygen uptake)?
2. Does it improve their body composition, muscle strength, balance, and flexibility?
3. Does it reduce their daily sitting time?

Researchers will compare the Baduanjin training group to a health education control group to see if Baduanjin is more effective in improving these health outcomes.

Participants will:

1. Be randomly assigned to one of the two groups.
2. If in the Baduanjin group, attend supervised group sessions and practice at home for 12 weeks.
3. Complete a series of assessments at the beginning, middle, and end of the study, including fitness tests, body measurements, and questionnaires.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults aged 18 to 59 years
• Sedentary and physically inactive, defined as: (a) self-reported sitting time ≥ 8 hours per day, AND (b) not meeting the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended level of physical activity ( engaging in < 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity per week, assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire [IPAQ])
• In good general health as self-reported, and free from any known diseases
• Willing and able to provide written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Contraindications to cardiopulmonary exercise testing
• Currently participating in, or planning to participate within the next 3 months, in any other structured exercise or behavioral intervention program
• Pregnancy, lactation, or planning to become pregnant during the study period
• Inability to understand or comply with the study procedures