Abstract
Arm swing exercises (ASE) can improve health for all age groups, in line with World Health Organization guidelines that address the role of physical activity in maintaining health. Increasing exercise can effectively control diabetes, hypertension, waist circumference (WC), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Systematic Reviews focusing on the effectiveness of ASE are still limited.
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the impact of arm swing exercises on health outcomes.
We systematically searched four online databases—PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Thai-Journal Citation Index Center—for studies published from inception until October 2024, focusing on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies (PROSPERO CRD42024589443). Quality assessments for all studies were conducted using the JBI clinical appraisal tool, and meta-analyses were performed using Stata software.
Seven RCTs and six quasi-experimental studies were included in the systematic review, with study durations ranging from 5 to 24 weeks. An analysis of mean differences (MD) showed that ASE significantly decreased WC (MD = –6.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], –7.08 to –6.04; p < .05), Hemoglobin A1c (MD = –0.93; 95% CI, –1.07 to –0.80; p < .05), fasting blood glucose (MD = –17.62; 95% CI, –25.93 to –9.32; p < .05), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (MD = –9.74; 95% CI, –17.84 to –1.65; p < .05), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (MD = –9.74; 95% CI, –18.24 to –2.56; p < .05). Additionally, ASE significantly increased HDL-C levels (MD = 6.96; 95% CI, 2.20 to 11.71; p < .05).
This study demonstrates that ASE can significantly enhance health outcomes in people with diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, suggesting it is a beneficial intervention for these populations.
Notes
References:
1.World Health Organization. (2020). WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Geneva: World Health Organization. Retrieved November 10, 2024, from https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/337001/9789240014886-eng.pdf?sequence=1
2.Tensay, A., & Getu, T. (2023). The impact of exercise modalities on blood glucose, blood pressure, and body composition in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 15, 62. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-023-00762-9
3.Miguel, A., Sánchez-Lastra, D., Pozo Cruz, B., Dalene, K. E., Tarp, J., & Ekelund, U. (2023). Associations between waist circumference, device-measured physical activity, and incident cardiovascular disease. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000981196.22630.1d
4.Braga, P. G., Freitas, F. R., Bachi, A. L. L., Amirato, G. R., Baroni, R. V., Alves, M. J. N. N., et al. (2023). Regular practice of physical activity improves cholesterol transfers to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and other HDL metabolic parameters in older adults. Nutrients, 15(23), 4871. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15234871
5.Cho, M. J., Jung, Y. J., Min, H. J., Kim, H. J., Kunutsor, S. K., & Jae, S. Y. (2024). Sex disparities in physical activity domains and hypertension prevalence. Clinical Hypertension, 30(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40885-023-00260-7
Sigma Membership
Phi
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Meta-Analysis/Synthesis
Research Approach
Quantitative Research
Keywords:
Primary Care, Public and Community Health, Sustainable Development Goals, Arm Swing Exercise, Health Outcomes
Recommended Citation
Piaseu, Noppawan and Whaikid, Phatcharaphon, "Effectiveness of Arm Swing Exercise on Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis" (2025). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 129.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2025/posters_2025/129
Conference Name
36th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Seattle, Washington, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Effectiveness of Arm Swing Exercise on Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Seattle, Washington, USA
Arm swing exercises (ASE) can improve health for all age groups, in line with World Health Organization guidelines that address the role of physical activity in maintaining health. Increasing exercise can effectively control diabetes, hypertension, waist circumference (WC), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Systematic Reviews focusing on the effectiveness of ASE are still limited.
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the impact of arm swing exercises on health outcomes.
We systematically searched four online databases—PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Thai-Journal Citation Index Center—for studies published from inception until October 2024, focusing on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies (PROSPERO CRD42024589443). Quality assessments for all studies were conducted using the JBI clinical appraisal tool, and meta-analyses were performed using Stata software.
Seven RCTs and six quasi-experimental studies were included in the systematic review, with study durations ranging from 5 to 24 weeks. An analysis of mean differences (MD) showed that ASE significantly decreased WC (MD = –6.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], –7.08 to –6.04; p < .05), Hemoglobin A1c (MD = –0.93; 95% CI, –1.07 to –0.80; p < .05), fasting blood glucose (MD = –17.62; 95% CI, –25.93 to –9.32; p < .05), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (MD = –9.74; 95% CI, –17.84 to –1.65; p < .05), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (MD = –9.74; 95% CI, –18.24 to –2.56; p < .05). Additionally, ASE significantly increased HDL-C levels (MD = 6.96; 95% CI, 2.20 to 11.71; p < .05).
This study demonstrates that ASE can significantly enhance health outcomes in people with diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, suggesting it is a beneficial intervention for these populations.
Description
Arm swing exercises (ASE) effectively control diabetes, hypertension, waist circumference (WC), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). This first systematic review and meta-analysis, including 13 studies, found ASE significantly reduced WC, hemoglobin A1c, fasting blood glucose, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure while increasing HDL-C. ASE is a beneficial intervention for individuals with diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia.