Effects of yoga on flexibility and balance: a quasi-experimental study

Abstract

Despite having number of health benefits, yoga also has a proven role in enhancing performance of athletes boosting specific components of fitness. Our aim was to study the effect of yoga on flexibility and balance among shooting trainee athletes at BKSP, Bangladesh. A quasi-experimental study was conducted among shooting trainee athletes. In total 20 athletes took part in this study. In each group we had 10 participants (10 in yoga group and other 10 in non-yoga group). Regular yoga session have been conducted early morning biweekly over a period of six weeks. All the participants were allowed to take part in regular training session, while only yoga group took part in additional yoga session. Measurements of flexibility and balance including Sit and Reach (SR) test and Stork Stand (SR) test were taken immediately before and after the yoga training period. Independent t-test and paired t-test were used to determine the significant effect of yoga within and between the groups before and after yoga training. Sixty percent of our participants were male. Participant's age were between 12-17 years. All of them had normal level of BMI. Significant improvement were observed in the yoga group for flexibility (SR, P=0.017) and balance (SS, P=0.004) during within group comparison. No significant improvement were seen for flexibility and balance in the non-yoga group. Between group comparison (Yoga and Non-yoga) also shows significant enhancement in both flexibility (SR, P=0.018) and balance (SS, P=0.021).Our findings helped us to conclude that regular yoga training may improve the balance and flexibility of shooting athletes even within short period of time (6 weeks), can also improve the athletic performances that demands high flexibility and balance.

The effect of a rhythmic movement intervention on selected bio-motor skills of academy rugby players in the Western Cape, South Africa

“…17–21 The specific and familiar example of Yoga has been used amongst many international football, rugby, cricket, and golf clubs including countries such as New Zealand, United States of America (USA) and South Africa (SA). 22 Yoga is a highly structured activity that can simultaneously enhance several specific components of fitness. Similarly, to rhythmic movement, Yoga incorporates music and movement, allowing the muscles, tendons, and ligaments to move through a full range of motion.…”

“…22 Furthermore, it mimics critical aspects of athletic performance, such as flexibility, muscular strength and endurance as well as co-ordination. 22 A 10-week preliminary study on the impact of Yoga on specific aspects of athletic fitness amongst soccer players indicated that the group who practised Yoga, demonstrated improvement in both flexibility and balance. 23 Moreover, to emphasise how rhythmic movement contributes to other sports, can be seen in the following examples: co-ordination and isolation aspects helps with sports such as swimming and improved dynamic balance assists in sports such as gymnastics and track and field events.…”

“…The notion that rhythmic movement is beneficial as an intervention has further been explored in literature [18][19][20][21][22] . The specific and familiar example of Yoga has been used amongst many international football, rugby, cricket, and golf clubs including countries such as New Zealand, United States of America (USA) and South Africa (SA) 23 . Yoga is a highly structured activity that can simultaneously enhance several specific components of fitness.…”

“…Similarly, to rhythmic movement, Yoga incorporates music and movement, allowing the muscles, tendons, and ligaments to move through a full range of motion. This, in turn develops and promotes balance and core strength, which is a huge advantage to athletes in their chosen sports 23 . Furthermore, it mimics critical aspects of athletic performance, such as flexibility, muscular strength and endurance as well as co-ordination 23 .…”

“…This, in turn develops and promotes balance and core strength, which is a huge advantage to athletes in their chosen sports 23 . Furthermore, it mimics critical aspects of athletic performance, such as flexibility, muscular strength and endurance as well as co-ordination 23 . A 10-week preliminary study on the impact of Yoga on specific aspects of athletic fitness amongst soccer players indicated that the group who practised Yoga, demonstrated improvement in both flexibility and balance 24 .…”