Effect of Yijinjing on muscle strength of senile patients with sarcopenia

Objective To study the effect of Yijinjing on muscle strength of senile patients with sarcopenia. Methods Between January 2015 and December 2016, sixty-five senile patients with sarcopenia from acupuncture and rehabilitation department of traditional Chinese medicine Hospital of Jiaxing were randomly divided into the exercise (Yijinjing) group including 33 senile patients and the blank control group including 32 senile patients in a random number table. The exercise group was intervened for 12 weeks Yijinjing exercise, and then the measuring of handgrip strength, as well as muscle strength of skeletal muscle in lower limbs was performed before the exercise and 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks after the exercise. The blank control group only carried out the relevant knowledge of education and guidance, without Yijinjing exercise, but the relevant data collection and recording was made at the same time as Yijinjing exercise group. Then data within and between two groups were collected and ran statistical analysis. Results There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups before the intervention in the handgrip strength and the frequency of sitting up from the chair and squat standing up in 15 s, which was used to measure muscle strength of skeletal muscle in limbs (all P>0.05); After 12 weeks, the handgrip strength, the frequency of sitting up from the chair and squat standing up increased significantly compared with those before the intervention in the exercise group (all P<0.05). And we also got the same results between the two groups after 12 weeks, which were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Yet, there was no significant change in the four strength test results of the blank control group (all P>0.05). Conclusion Yijinjing exercise can significantly improve the elderly skeletal muscle strength and the quality of life of the senile patients.