Guideline to Promote Ba Duan Jin Exercise Club in Primary Schools in Xi’an Province

Background and Aim: The Ba Duan Jin Exercise Club promotes traditional Chinese Qigong, which improves mental and physical energy and promotes holistic health. By enabling everyone to access low-impact wellness practices, it also promotes community well-being. This study aimed to enhance the promotion of Ba Duan Jin exercise clubs in primary schools in Xi'an Province, recognizing their potential in fostering students' physical and mental well-being. Despite its historical and cultural significance, Ba Duan Jin remained underutilized in primary education. The study set out three specific objectives: (1) to assess the current state of Ba Duan Jin exercise implementation in primary schools; (2) to develop comprehensive guidelines for promoting Ba Duan Jin exercise clubs; and (3) to verify the effectiveness and applicability of these guidelines. Materials and Methods: A mixed-method research design was employed to ensure a comprehensive and evidence-based approach. Initial data collection involved a questionnaire survey with eight administrators, eight teachers, 183 primary students, and 183 parents (IOC = 0.87), as well as expert interviews (IOC = 0.89) to identify existing practices, needs, and challenges. The results were summarized using mean and standard deviation. Following this, a two-round Delphi method was conducted with 17 experts (IOC = 0.83) to refine and validate the core elements of the proposed guidelines, with results summarized using median ≥ 3.50 and IQR ≤ 1.50. The study concluded with a connoisseurship seminar involving nine experts, who reviewed the final guidelines in terms of educational alignment, cultural appropriateness, and practical feasibility. The findings were then summarized through content analysis. Results: The study revealed significant management gaps in the promotion of Ba Duan Jin exercise clubs, particularly in the areas of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. Stakeholder input highlighted challenges in service quality, communication, and feedback mechanisms. In response, a structured framework comprising 21 action items and 25 strategic goals was developed. These components were designed to enhance program delivery, stakeholder engagement, and long-term sustainability, aligning with both institutional goals and local cultural values. Conclusion: Through systematic stakeholder engagement and expert validation, the study successfully developed and verified a set of practical guidelines for the effective promotion of Ba Duan Jin exercise clubs in primary schools. These guidelines offer a clear, actionable framework that addresses key management functions and supports the integration of traditional exercise into the modern educational context. The results provide a strong foundation for policymakers, school administrators, and educators to implement sustainable and impactful Ba Duan Jin programs that contribute to students’ holistic development.