Influence of Yoga-Based Personality Development Program on Psychomotor Performance and Self-efficacy in School Children

Abstract

Selective attention and efficacy are important components of scholastic performance in school children. While attempts are being made to introduce new methods to improve academic performance either as part of curricular or extracurricular activities in schools, the success rates are minimal. Hence, this study assessed the effect of yoga-based intervention on psychomotor performance and self-efficacy in school children. Two hundred ten school children with ages ranging from 11 to 16 years (mean age ± SD; 13.7 ± 0.8 years) satisfying the inclusion and exclusion criteria were recruited for the 10-day yogä program. An equal number of age-matched participants (n = 210; mean ± SD; 13.1 ± 0.8 years) were selected for the control group. Participants were assessed for attention and performance at the beginning and end of 10 days using trail making task (TMT) A and B, and self-efficacy questionnaire. The yoga group showed higher self-efficacy and improved performance after 10 days of yoga intervention. The performance in TMT-A and -B of the yoga group showed a significantly higher number of attempts with a reduction in time taken to complete the task and a number of wrong attempts compared with control group. Results suggest that yoga practice enhances self-efficacy and processing speed with fine motor coordination, visual–motor integration, visual perception, planning ability, and cognitive performance.

Comparison of yoga versus physical exercise on executive function, attention, and working memory in adolescent schoolchildren: A randomized controlled trial

“…This study results differ from those of studies on yoga that have used small study populations. [47] Many other studies have found yoga practices to be more effective than physical exercises in many physiological functions such as in muscle control, balance, increased self-confidence, and other measures that are not studied in this trial. [89]…”

“…An integrated approach to yoga is necessary for the holistic development of memory,[3] attention, executive functioning, and cognitive processing speed. [4] Few studies that have directly compared the effects of participating in school-based yoga versus physical education have generally found positive effects of yoga. [5] Few studies have found that yoga is as effective as physical activity (PA) in improving cognitive performance and emotional and behavioral functioning.…”

A Measure of Yoga Personal Observance (Niyama): A Confirmatory Factor Analysis

“…Yoga Personality Development camp has the significant effect on Satva, Rajas and Tamas in Children 18 . Results suggest that yoga practice enhances selfefficacy and processing speed with fine motor coordination, visual-motor integration, visual perception, planning ability, and cognitive performance 19 . In all the above references, there was no mention of standardization of scale development for the yoga concept of personal observance (niyama).…”

How does cognitive function measured by the reaction time and critical flicker fusion frequency correlate with the academic performance of students?

“…Given the fact that the RT testing and the CFFF evaluation can measure information processing speed, attention, concentration and alertness [ 11 , 13 , 16 , 17 ], all of which are important factors presumed to be associated with higher academic achievement [ 24 – 26 ], it can be expected that better cognitive functions may also be linked with better academic performance [ 27 ]. There are very few studies that have explored this relationship, and although they have shown that there is a statistically significant relationship between faster RT and better academic performance, the correlation appears to be weak at best ( r = 0.07 to r = 0.29) [ 20 , 28 ].…”