PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
Introduction: Although an increasing number of African Americans 50 years of age and older practice qigong, a mind-body exercise, to manage their health conditions, little is known about their perceptions and experiences of engaging in and learning qigong exercise. This study aimed to explore the subjective perceptions of the health benefits, engagement, adherence, and learning of qigong exercise in African Americans 45-85 years of age as a foundation for promoting this approach for African Americans\' physical and psychological health. Methods: Fifteen African Americans were enrolled in a 1-h qigong exercise program twice a week for 8 weeks (a total of 16 sessions) in the activity center of a local church. Participants were interviewed after the intervention to explore their perceptions of learning and practicing qigong exercise. Interviews were conducted in person, audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using content analysis. Results: Five themes emerged: (1) Perceived benefits of practicing qigong, (2) helpful strategies for qigong learning, (3) facilitators for home qigong practice, (4) motivators for qigong exercise adherence, and (5) recommending qigong to others. qigong exercise was perceived to be effective for balance, flexibility, muscle strength, sleep quality, emotion regulation, and stress management. Nearly 75% of participants reported home qigong practice at least twice a week. Conclusions: Middle-age and older African Americans\' responses provide insights on health benefits associated with practicing qigong exercise, adherence, home practice, and learning, which may serve as the first step to promoting the use of qigong exercise in this population and may be adopted to similar exercise interventions with minority older adults in the future.
摘要：
虽然越来越多的50岁及以上的非洲裔美国人练习气功，身心锻炼，管理他们的健康状况，对他们从事和学习气功运动的看法和经验知之甚少。本研究旨在探讨对健康益处的主观看法，订婚,坚持,在45-85岁的非洲裔美国人学习气功锻炼，作为促进非洲裔美国人身心健康的基础。方法：15名非裔美国人在当地教堂的活动中心每周两次参加1小时气功锻炼计划，为期8周（共16次）。干预后对参与者进行了访谈，以探讨他们对学习和练习气功锻炼的看法。面试是亲自进行的，录制的音频，逐字转录，并使用内容分析进行分析。结果：出现了五个主题：（1）练习气功的感知效益，(2)对气功学习有帮助的策略,(3)家庭气功练习的促进者，(4)气功锻炼坚持的激励因素，(5)向他人推荐气功。气功锻炼被认为是有效的平衡，灵活性,肌肉力量,睡眠质量,情绪调节,和压力管理。近75%的参与者报告说，家庭气功每周至少练习两次。结论：中年和老年非裔美国人的反应提供了与练习气功运动相关的健康益处的见解，坚持,家庭实践,和学习，这可能是促进在该人群中使用气功运动的第一步，并且将来可能会被用于与少数民族老年人进行类似的运动干预。
