TY - JOUR
T1 - Meditative movement as a category of exercise
T2 - Implications for research
AU - Larkey, Linda
AU - Jahnke, Roger
AU - Etnier, Jennifer
AU - Gonzalez, Julie
N1 - Copyright:
Copyright 2017 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2009/3
Y1 - 2009/3
N2 - Introduction: Meditative Movement (MM) is proposed as a new category of exercise defined by (a) some form of movement or body positioning, (b) a focus on breathing, and (c) cleared or calm state of mind with a goal of (d) deep states of relaxation. Review: Two forms of exercise meeting this definition, Qigong and Tai Chi, are reviewed to examine health benefits found in the research literature, recap elements that should be assessed in MM research, and suggest where aspects of MM intersect with, and are distinguished from, conventional forms of exercise. Results: Relevant dimensions of the key elements of MM, such as frequency, duration, type of movement, degree of exertion, description of breathing, and achievement of relaxed state are recommended to be clearly described and measured to consistently define the category across studies and clarify how MM may affect health outcomes in similar, and perhaps different, ways than conventional exercise. Conclusions: If these suggested standards are used, we will gain a better understanding of which elements are necessary for achieving targeted outcomes. Over time, as MM is studied as a category of exercise, research may progress more efficiently to define the domains of physiological and psychological benefit.
AB - Introduction: Meditative Movement (MM) is proposed as a new category of exercise defined by (a) some form of movement or body positioning, (b) a focus on breathing, and (c) cleared or calm state of mind with a goal of (d) deep states of relaxation. Review: Two forms of exercise meeting this definition, Qigong and Tai Chi, are reviewed to examine health benefits found in the research literature, recap elements that should be assessed in MM research, and suggest where aspects of MM intersect with, and are distinguished from, conventional forms of exercise. Results: Relevant dimensions of the key elements of MM, such as frequency, duration, type of movement, degree of exertion, description of breathing, and achievement of relaxed state are recommended to be clearly described and measured to consistently define the category across studies and clarify how MM may affect health outcomes in similar, and perhaps different, ways than conventional exercise. Conclusions: If these suggested standards are used, we will gain a better understanding of which elements are necessary for achieving targeted outcomes. Over time, as MM is studied as a category of exercise, research may progress more efficiently to define the domains of physiological and psychological benefit.
KW - Breathing exercises
KW - Qigong
KW - Stress
KW - Tai Chi
KW - Taiji
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U2 - 10.1123/jpah.6.2.230
DO - 10.1123/jpah.6.2.230
M3 - Review article
C2 - 19420401
AN - SCOPUS:63049106573
SN - 1543-3080
VL - 6
SP - 230
EP - 238
JO - Journal of Physical Activity and Health
JF - Journal of Physical Activity and Health
IS - 2
ER -