The effects of acupuncture on the resistance of the cardiopulmonary, fatigue levels and quality of life

Introduction: Fitness is a person's capability to carry out activities without feeling over exhausted. Automatic technological advances tend to reduce physical activities and motion mobilities that have an impact on physical fitness. According to basic health research in 2018, there was an enhancement in the number of people over 10 years of age who were less physically active in Indonesia, from 26.1% to 33.5%. Acupuncture is a treatment method to improve fitness in activities. Methods: This study was a pretest - posttest control group design. It was conducted for 4 weeks. Sample collection used random sampling method with a quota of 30 healthy male subjects who were divided into 2 groups. Acupuncture stabbing was performed at Zusanli ST-36 and Sanyinjiao SP-6 points. Cooper test was measured with VO₂ max, peak flow meter, Chalder Fatigue Scale and GHQ-12 results. Data analysis used paired t-test statistical test by comparing results of the pretest - posttest fitness after 12 treatments. Results: The study showed that the results of statistical analysis of pretest - postest therapy group indicated of VO₂ max (p<0.05), peak flow meter value (p<0.05), Chalder fatique Scale (p<0.05) and GHQ-12 (p<0.05). Conclusion: Acupuncture is effective in increasing Cardiopulmonary endurance, decreasing fatigue's level and keeping up the quality of life.