Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Not Yet Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT07482995

Effects of Baduanjin Exercise on Improving Health 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.

Not Yet Recruiting

Trial opening soon.

Get Notified

Key information

Conditions

Sedentary Lifestyle Behavior Behavioral Intervention Sedentary Behavior

Age range

18 year–59 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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

Treatment and study plan

Baduanjin exercise

Behavioral

A 12-week, standardized Baduanjin exercise program. Participants will complete 5 sessions per week, each lasting 60 minutes (including warm-up, Baduanjin practice, and cool-down). The program includes both supervised group sessions and guided home practice.

General Health Education

Other

Participants will receive general health education (including recommendations on physical activity types and duration), but will not be enrolled in any structured or supervised exercise program. They will be instructed to maintain their usual lifestyle.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Peak Oxygen Uptake (VO₂peak) assessed by Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing

    Time frame: at baseline and Week 13.

    Measured by Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Sit-and-Reach Distance

    Time frame: at baseline, Week 8, and Week 13.

    Assessed by the standard sit-and-reach test.

  2. Change in Active Range of Motion of the Shoulder, Hip, Knee, and Ankle joints assessed by Goniometry

    Time frame: at baseline, Week 8, and Week 13.

    Measured using a goniometer

  3. Change in Time Spent in Sedentary Behavior assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)

    Time frame: at baseline and Week 13.

  4. Scores on the Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale (EBBS)

    Time frame: at baseline and Week 13

    The scale consists of two subscales: the Exercise Benefits Subscale (29 items) and the Exercise Barriers Subscale (14 items). The total score ranges from 43 to 172, with a higher score indicating a more positive perception towards exercise.

  5. Change in Knee Extension Peak Torque assessed by Isokinetic Dynamometry

    Time frame: at baseline, Week 8, and Week 13.

    Maximum torque generated during knee extension

  6. Change in Knee Extension Total Work assessed by Isokinetic Dynamometry

    Time frame: at baseline, Week 8, and Week 13.

    Total work performed during repeated maximal knee extension contractions.

  7. Change in Knee Extension Average Power assessed by Isokinetic Dynamometry

    Time frame: at baseline, Week 8, and Week 13.

  8. Change in Knee Extension Fatigue Index assessed by Isokinetic Dynamometry

    Time frame: at baseline, Week 8, and Week 13.

  9. Change in Knee Flexion Peak Torque assessed by Isokinetic Dynamometry

    Time frame: at baseline, Week 8, and Week 13

    Maximum torque generated during Knee Flexion measured at a preset angular velocity

  10. Change in Knee Flexion Total Work assessed by Isokinetic Dynamometry

    Time frame: at baseline, Week 8, and Week 13

    Total work performed during repeated maximal Knee Flexion contractions

  11. Change in Knee Flexion Average Power assessed by Isokinetic Dynamometry

    Time frame: at baseline, Week 8, and Week 13

  12. Change in Knee Flexion Fatigue Index assessed by Isokinetic Dynamometry

    Time frame: at baseline, Week 8, and Week 13

  13. Change in Shoulder Flexion Peak Torque assessed by Isokinetic Dynamometry

    Time frame: at baseline, Week 8, and Week 13

    Maximum torque generated during Shoulder Flexion, measured at a preset angular velocity.

  14. Change in Shoulder Flexion Total Work assessed by Isokinetic Dynamometry

    Time frame: at baseline, Week 8, and Week 13

    Total work performed during repeated maximal Shoulder Flexion contractions

  15. Change in Shoulder Flexion Average Power assessed by Isokinetic Dynamometry

    Time frame: at baseline, Week 8, and Week 13

  16. Change in Shoulder Flexion Fatigue Index assessed by Isokinetic Dynamometry

    Time frame: at baseline, Week 8, and Week 13

  17. Change in Shoulder Abduction Peak Torque assessed by Isokinetic Dynamometry

    Time frame: at baseline, Week 8, and Week 13

    Maximum torque generated during Shoulder Abduction , measured at a preset angular velocity

  18. Change in Shoulder Abduction Total Work assessed by Isokinetic Dynamometry

    Time frame: at baseline, Week 8, and Week 13

    Total work performed during repeated maximal Shoulder Abduction contractions

  19. Change in Shoulder Abduction Average Power assessed by Isokinetic Dynamometry

    Time frame: at baseline, Week 8, and Week 13

  20. Change in Shoulder Abduction Fatigue Index assessed by Isokinetic Dynamometry

    Time frame: at baseline, Week 8, and Week 13

  21. Change in Elbow Extension Peak Torque assessed by Isokinetic Dynamometry

    Time frame: at baseline, Week 8, and Week 13

    Maximum torque generated during Elbow Extension, measured at a preset angular velocity

  22. Change in Elbow Extension Total Work assessed by Isokinetic Dynamometry

    Time frame: at baseline, Week 8, and Week 13

    Total work performed during repeated maximal Elbow Extension contractions

  23. Change in Elbow Extension Average Power assessed by Isokinetic Dynamometry

    Time frame: at baseline, Week 8, and Week 13

  24. Change in Elbow Extension Fatigue Index assessed by Isokinetic Dynamometry

    Time frame: at baseline, Week 8, and Week 13

  25. Change in Elbow Flexion Peak Torque assessed by Isokinetic Dynamometry

    Time frame: at baseline, Week 8, and Week 13

    Maximum torque generated during Elbow Flexion, measured at a preset angular velocity

  26. Change in Elbow Flexion Total Work assessed by Isokinetic Dynamometry

    Time frame: at baseline, Week 8, and Week 13

    Total work performed during repeated maximal Elbow Flexion contractions

  27. Change in Elbow Flexion Average Power assessed by Isokinetic Dynamometry

    Time frame: at baseline, Week 8, and Week 13

  28. Change in Elbow Flexion Fatigue Index assessed by Isokinetic Dynamometry

    Time frame: at baseline, Week 8, and Week 13

  29. Change in Rhythmic Weight Shift (RWS) Score assessed by Computerized Dynamic Posturography

    Time frame: at baseline, Week 8, and Week 13.

    Measured using a computerized dynamic posturography system.

  30. Change in Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance (mCTSIB) Score assessed by Computerized Dynamic Posturography

    Time frame: at baseline, Week 8, and Week 13.

    Measured using a computerized dynamic posturography system.

  31. Change in Sensory Organization Test (SOT) Composite Score assessed by Computerized Dynamic Posturography

    Time frame: at baseline, Week 8, and Week 13.

    Measured using a computerized dynamic posturography system.

  32. Change in Motor Control Test (MCT) Latency assessed by Computerized Dynamic Posturography

    Time frame: at baseline, Week 8, and Week 13.

    Measured using a computerized dynamic posturography system.

  33. Change in Limits of Stability (LOS) Score assessed by Computerized Dynamic Posturography

    Time frame: at baseline, Week 8, and Week 13.

    Measured using a computerized dynamic posturography system.

  34. Change in Muscle Mass assessed by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis

    Time frame: at baseline and Week 13.

  35. Change in Body Fat Percentage assessed by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis

    Time frame: at baseline and Week 13.

  36. Change in Fat-Free Mass assessed by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis

    Time frame: at baseline and Week 13.

  37. Change in Waist-to-Hip Ratio

    Time frame: at baseline and Week 13.

    Ratio of waist circumference to hip circumference

  38. Change in Center of Mass Sway Amplitude during Baduanjin Exercise assessed by 3D Motion Capture

    Time frame: at baseline and Week 13

    Magnitude of anteroposterior and mediolateral displacement of the body's center of mass during static postures of Baduanjin, analyzed using a markerless 3D motion capture system

  39. Change in Joint Range of Motion during Baduanjin Exercise assessed by 3D Motion Capture

    Time frame: at baseline and Week 13

    Angular displacement of primary joints during the performance of Baduanjin movements, analyzed using a markerless 3D motion capture system.

  40. Change in Center of Mass Height during Baduanjin Exercise assessed by 3D Motion Capture

    Time frame: at baseline and Week 13

  41. Change in Integrated Electromyography (iEMG) during Baduanjin Exercise assessed by Surface Electromyography

    Time frame: at baseline and Week 13

  42. Change in Root Mean Square (RMS) Amplitude during Baduanjin Exercise assessed by Surface Electromyography

    Time frame: at baseline and Week 13

  43. Change in Glycemic Control Biomarkers

    Time frame: at baseline and Week 13.

    Fasting venous blood samples will be analyzed for indicators of glucose metabolism, such as glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and fasting insulin.

  44. Change in Lipid Profile

    Time frame: at baseline and Week 13.

    Fasting venous blood samples will be analyzed for indicators of lipid metabolism, including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C).

  45. Change in Inflammatory and Neurotrophic Biomarkers

    Time frame: at baseline and Week 13.

    Fasting venous blood samples will be analyzed for inflammatory markers (e.g., high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP], interleukin-6 [IL-6], tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α]) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).

  46. Percentage of Prescribed Baduanjin Sessions Completed

    Time frame: Through study completion, up to Week 13.

  47. Baduanjin Movement Quality Score assessed by Blinded Expert Review (100-point scale)

    Time frame: at Week 13

    Score assessed by blinded experts using a standardized 100-point scoring rubric. Scores range from 0 to 100, with a higher score indicating better movement quality.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Jingyi Ren, M.D., Chief Physician

CONTACT

[email protected]

18600195099

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

China-Japan Friendship Hospital

Other

Registry information

Official study title

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

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Mar 19, 2026
Registry last updated
Mar 19, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.