IMPACT AFTER 3 MONTHS OF CHI KUNG PRACTICE ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF OLDER ADULTS
Abstract
Population aging demands strategies that promote quality of life and active aging. This study evaluated the impact of Chi Kung practice on the quality of life of older adults participating in a university extension program aimed at promoting comprehensive health. This is a quantitative, pre- and post-test study conducted with 26 volunteers aged 50 years or older who participated in weekly Chi Kung sessions for three months. Quality of life was assessed using the WHOQOL-BREF instrument, applied before and after the intervention. The results indicated significant improvements in the physical, psychological, and environmental domains, as well as an increase in the overall quality-of-life score. A positive trend was also observed in the social relationships domain, suggesting greater perception of support and group integration. Regular Chi Kung practice proved to be safe, accessible, and effective, promoting physical and emotional benefits and enhancing participants’ perception of well-being. The experience reinforces the role of integrative practices as tools for health promotion and for strengthening the bond between university and community, contributing to the inseparability of teaching, research, and extension, and to the development of more autonomous individuals aware of their own aging process.
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