A Content Analysis of African Americans' Experience of Engaging in Qigong Exercise Intervention in a Community Setting

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.

Keywords: Baduanjin; emotional benefits; exercise adherence; mind–body exercise; minority; qigong learning.

FIG. 1.

Qigong Program: Baduanjin. (A) Prop up the sky with hands to regulate the triple energizer. (B) Draw a bow on both sides, like shooting a vulture. (C) Raise single arm to regulate spleen and stomach. (D) Look back to treat five strains and seven impairments. (E) Circle the head and swing the tail to expel heart (Xin)-fire. (F) Full toes with both hands to reinforce the kidney and waist. (G) Clench fists and look with eyes wide open to enhance strength and stamina. (H) Rise and fall on tip toes to prevent all diseases. Directly adopted from Liu et al.