Participation trends in holistic movement practices: a 10-year comparison of yoga/Pilates and t’ai chi/qigong use among a national sample of 195,926 Australians

Abstract

BackgroundIn recent decades, the evidence supporting the physical and mental health benefits of holistic movement practices such as yoga and t’ai chi have become increasingly established. Consequently, investigating the participation prevalence and patterns of these practices is a relevant pursuit in the public health field. Few studies have provided population-level assessment of participation rates, however, and even fewer have focused on patterns over time. The purpose of this study was to examine participation prevalence and trends in yoga/Pilates and t’ai chi/qigong over a ten-year period in a nationally representative sample of Australians aged 15 years and over, with particular attention to sex and age. A secondary purpose was to juxtapose these findings with participation trends in traditional fitness activities over the same period.MethodsData comprised modes and types of physical activity, age, and sex variables collected through the Exercise, Recreation and Sport Survey (ERASS), a series of independent cross-sectional Australia-wide surveys conducted yearly between 2001 and 2010. For each year, weighted population estimates were calculated for those participating in yoga/Pilates, t’ai chi/qigong, and fitness activities (e.g. aerobics, calisthenics). Linear regression and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to examine trends in prevalence rates over time and differences among sex and age (15–34; 35–54; 55+ years) groups, respectively.ResultsAverage prevalence rates between 2001 and 2010 were 3.0% (95% CI 2.9–3.1) for yoga/Pilates, 0.6% (95% CI 0.5–0.6) for t’ai chi/qigong, and 19.2% (95% CI 18.9–19.4) for fitness activities. Across the decade, overall participation rates remained relatively stable for yoga/Pilates and t’ai chi/qigong, while increasing linearly for fitness activities. For both genders and in all three age groups, participation in fitness activities increased, whereas only in the 55+ age group was there a significant increase in yoga/Pilates participation; participation in t’ai chi/qigong declined significantly in the two younger age groups.ConclusionsParticipation rates in yoga/Pilates and t’ai chi/qigong in Australia were low and relatively stable. As fitness activities increased in popularity across the decade, holistic movement practices did not. These findings point to the need to investigate activity-specific barriers and facilitators to participation, including intrapersonal, interpersonal, organisational, and environmental factors.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Yoga in Rural and Urban India, KAPY 2017: A Nationwide Cluster Sample Survey

“…Among other mind-body techniques, T'ai chi/Qigong practice was reported to have a lifetime prevalence of 3.1% in the United States of America (U.S.A) [5]. Similarly, the data collected in Australia over 10 years (2001-2010) showed a 3% prevalence rate for yoga/pilates, 0.6% for T'ai chi/Qigong, and 19.2% for other fitness activities across the country [6]. In contrast, 84% of the physicians in Japan use Kampo, a traditional Japanese medicine, in their practice and practice acupuncture (a TCM), which is accepted across 103 countries with 29 countries having regulators for acupuncture in the world [7].…”

Effect of Liuzijue Qigong on patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

“…[ 14 , 15 , 17 , 18 , 24 – 27 ] However, it is generally known that conventional exercise training requires equipment, an exercise location, and medical personnel to supervise its safety, which poses a heavy burden on patients’ families and health resources. [ 21 , 28 – 31 ] Compared with conventional exercise modalities, Qigong is simple, soft, and relax, and the playing space and exercise equipment are not restrictive, [ 38 , 39 , 41 – 45 , 49 , 50 ] besides, Qigong emphasizes the importance of the inner body while physical exercise focuses on the outer body. [ 66 ] Qigong is a traditional form of mind–body exercise, which is an important branch of TCM and dates back thousands of years.…”

“…[ 38 , 39 , 44 – 46 ] With regular practice and rehearsal of the structured postures or movements, as well as concentration on mind and breath, practitioners can achieve an efficiency of “body relaxation and mind calm” and Tian Ren He Yi (the theory that mankind is an integral part of nature) so as to experience mood stabilization and improved strength and fitness. [ 47 – 49 ] Due to its ease of learning, Qigong is appropriate for nearly anyone of any age or physical condition. What's more, it can be practiced any place and any time, without any special equipment.…”

“…What's more, it can be practiced any place and any time, without any special equipment. [ 38 , 39 , 41 – 45 , 49 , 50 ] Therefore, Qigong is an emerging health practice that exhibits potential to be of benefit in several chronic conditions, especially for COPD.…”

Safety of Qigong

“…Besides, Qigong is an easily adaptable form of aerobic exercise that can be practiced any place and any time and can be learned by almost anyone of any age or physical condition without any special equipment. [ 3 – 6 , 14 , 17 , 22 ] It is widely practiced by Chinese not only to improve their physical health but also to control their emotions, manage their stress or depressive/anxiety symptoms, and enhance overall well-being. [ 1 , 10 , 14 , 18 , 23 , 24 ] There are many qigong clinics, and in some hospitals, Qigong is integrated with TCM and with conventional western biomedicine.…”