[Acupuncture for treatment of kinetic insufficiency of kidney-qi and study on the mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture on kinetic insufficiency of kidney-qi and to study on the mechanism. METHODS: Forty-four healthy professional sportsmen were randomly divided into an acupuncture group and a control group. They trained for 4 weeksq with regular detection. In the latter 2 weeks, the acupuncture group received scalp and body-acupuncture. RESULTS: Three weeks later, signs of insufficiency of kidney-qi appeared in most of the sportsmen in the two groups. Two weeks after treatment, in the acupuncture group the signs improved, and testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) levels increased (P < 0.05); the symptoms did not significantly improve and the T and EZ levels decreased in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture therapy can regulate excitatory and inhibitory functions of the nervous system, improve symptoms of kinetic insufficiency of kidney-qi, and has regulative and repairing action on the sexual glands and adrenal gland.