Yoga Improves Academic Performance in Urban High School Students Compared to Physical Education: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Yoga programs within schools have become more widespread but research regarding the potential effect on academic achievement remains limited. This study cluster-randomized 112 students within a single New York City public high school to participate in either school-based yoga or physical education (PE) for an entire academic year. The primary outcome was mean annual grade point average (GPA). Psychosocial variables (self-regulation, executive function, well-being, and mindfulness) were examined as mediators. The study's primary hypothesis that yoga would improve academic performance was not supported by intent to treat analysis; however, a significant interaction was observed between class assignment and class participation. Among students with higher participation, those assigned to yoga classes had a significantly higher GPA. For example, at 49 classes of participation for both groups, students assigned to yoga classes had an estimated 2.70 higher mean GPA (effect size = 0.31) than students assigned to PE.

Influence of Yoga means on students’ biological age indicators

“…Improvements of students' static balancing time coincides with scientists' opinion that regular physical exercises (asanas) help to presreve muscular strength, tonus and harmony of the whole body [22,35,37].…”

“…The authors stress on the need in the following: − Optimization of students' physical loads [24,25] and process of physical exercises' mastering [8,28]; − Consideration of individual perception of physical loads [21,42] and students' biological age [18,43]; − Proper control over physical loads [12,31], body mass [27,39,44], and morphological functional indicators [41]; − Reduction of physiological stress's influence by means of Yoga [9]; − Rising of effectiveness of self-regulation training programs for sustaining the youth's health and successfulness [11,37]; practicing of intervention (understanding of Yoga) in respect to weakening depression's after-effects [19]; − Study of Yoga's potential influence on youth's successfulness [22]; − Consideration of women organism's specificities in Yoga practicing [50]; For strengthening students' interest to physical exercises' practicing, specialists constantly seek new means for realization of physical education purposes. Yoga permits to realize health related trainings, envisaged by physical education program.…”

Supports for Youth in Accelerated High School Curricula: An Initial Study of Applicability and Acceptability of a Motivational Interviewing Intervention

“…Schoolwide social–emotional learning (SEL) for secondary students tends to fall into two categories: (1) programs addressing problem behaviors common in the adolescent years, such as alcohol and drug use (e.g., Lions Quest Skills for Adolescence ; Eisen, Zellman, & Murray, 2003) or unplanned pregnancy and academic failure (e.g., Wyman’s Teen Outreach Program ; Allen, Philliber, Herrling, & Kuperminc, 1997) or (2) programs teaching high school youth general coping skills and relaxation strategies (e.g., Pure Power ; Hagins & Rundle, 2016). In addition to differences in intervention goals, skills emphasized, and target population, programs also vary in terms of attention to issues of feasibility and acceptability during development work.…”

Decline in the Use of Medicalized Yoga Between 2002 and 2012 While the Overall Yoga Use Increased in the United States: A Conundrum

“…For example, research shows that yoga helps in improving balance and mobility in older people, 7 in reducing stress, 8 in improving athletic performance, 9 or in improving academic performance in schools. 10 Not only that, work by Ornish et al 11 suggests that yoga may have curative value in cancer treatment, probably working at an epigenetic level. Other factors, such as the global tide of chronic diseases, 12 increasing stress in day-to-day life, 13 and the rising individual financial burden of health care costs 14 might also be contributing to an increase in the use of yoga.…”