Abstract
Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of growth exercise program based on Korean medicine. Methods : We recruited fifty two elementary students in a rural area, and measured height, weight, BMI, WHR, and bone age. Questionnaire on sleep, exercise, symptoms based on Korean medicine was performed. Students exercised TaeGuk(太極) Health Gigong(氣功), a growth exercise program 11 times in 6 weeks. Results : Height, weight, BMI and WHR of the subject students were lower than those in the Korean CDC(Center for Disease Control and Prevention) growth chart. There was significantly negative correlation between time of sleep and bone age(p=0.028), but no correlation between time of exercise and bone age(p=0.668). According to diagnosis based on Korean medicine, many students were in weakness of spleen and lung, and bone age according to deficiency of organ showed no significant difference(p=0.774). Satisfaction, impact on time of exercise after program, ideal time for program and impact on reparticipation of program were strong in the questionnaire after growth exercise program(TaeGuk(太極) Health Gigong(氣功)). Conclusions : Korean medicine promotion of health has a salutary effect on elementary school students in rural area by collecting growth and health data and educating easy exercise based on Taichi.