The Effects of Baduanjin Training on College Students' Health-Related Quality of Life: A 12-Week Intervention Study

Objective: To investigate the effects of 12-week structured Baduanjin training with different intensities on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among college students. Methods: A total of 220 eligible undergraduate students were randomly divided into four groups: a sedentary control group (n=16), a low-intensity Baduanjin group (n=47), a moderate-intensity Baduanjin group (n=62), and a high-intensity Baduanjin group (n=75). The intervention lasted for 12 weeks, with two 40-minute training sessions per week (including 5-minute warm-up, 30-minute core practice, and 5-minute cool-down). Exercise intensity was regulated by heart rate, movement amplitude, and practice rhythm. HRQoL was evaluated using the SF-36 Health Survey at baseline (Week 1) and post-intervention (Week 12). Mixed-effects analysis of variance (ANOVA) and paired samples t-tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: After 12 weeks of intervention, the moderate-intensity Baduanjin group showed a significant improvement in the General Health (GH) sub-scale of the SF-36 (MD=−5.065, t(61)=−2.839, p=0.006). No statistically significant within-group changes in any SF-36 dimensions were observed in the control, low-intensity, or high-intensity groups. Between-group comparisons revealed significant main effects of group on the Vitality (VT) subscale (F(3,196)=3.277, p=0.022) and Health Transition (HT) subscale (F(3,196)=6.848, p