A 16-week program combining Baduanjin with resistance training improved glycemic control, muscle strength, and body composition in older adults with type 2 diabetes, though secondary outcomes including blood pressure and lipid levels showed no statistically significant differences between groups.
The combined Baduanjin and resistance training intervention significantly reduced fasting plasma glucose compared to the control group.
The combined intervention significantly reduced HbA1c levels compared to the control group.
The intervention significantly improved both left and right handgrip strength in the intervention group compared to controls.
The combined intervention significantly reduced body weight and BMI compared to the control group.
The intervention significantly reduced waist circumference compared to the control group.
None of the secondary outcome measures, including blood pressure and lipid levels, showed statistically significant differences between groups at 4-month follow-up.
This research suggests that combining Baduanjin (a traditional Chinese qigong exercise) with resistance training for 16 weeks can meaningfully improve several important health markers in older adults with type 2 diabetes. Participants who did 2-3 exercise sessions per week of 60 minutes each showed significant improvements in blood sugar control (both fasting glucose and HbA1c), body weight, waist size, and grip strength compared to a control group that only received standard health education. These results came from a randomized controlled trial involving 123 older adults with type 2 diabetes in a community setting. However, this research suggests that the combined exercise program did not produce statistically significant changes in blood pressure or blood lipid levels (such as cholesterol and triglycerides) compared to the control group over this 16-week period. This means that while the exercise combination appeared effective for blood sugar management, body composition, and muscle strength, its impact on cardiovascular risk factors like blood pressure and cholesterol was not demonstrated within this timeframe. This research matters because it demonstrates that a community-based exercise program combining traditional and modern exercise approaches can be successfully implemented in diabetes self-management settings for older adults. The improvements in blood sugar control and physical strength are particularly relevant because older adults with type 2 diabetes are at increased risk for muscle loss and poor glycemic control, both of which contribute to complications. This approach may offer an accessible, culturally relevant exercise option for this population.
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Upload Your LabsLiu F, Zhu X, Leng H, Chen C. (2026). Effectiveness of community-based Baduanjin combined with resistance training on cardiometabolic risk factors in older adults with type 2 diabetes: a 16-week randomized controlled trial.. Frontiers in endocrinology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2026.1930328