The effects of yoga practice on balance, strength, coordination and flexibility in healthy children aged 10-12 years.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of yoga practice on balance, strength, coordination, and flexibility in healthy children aged 10-12 years. STUDY DESIGN: Quasi-experimental, nonrandomized. BACKGROUND: Research on the effects of yoga in children has focused on the benefits seen in non-healthy children or on the effects on hand grip strength and motor performance. The studies on the effects of yoga on balance, strength, coordination, and flexibility have been limited. METHODS AND MEASURES: A convenience sample of 26 children, aged 10-12 years was obtained. The children participated in 40 min yoga sessions, led by a registered yoga teacher, 1-3 times per week for 8 weeks. The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, second edition (BOT-2), the sit and reach test, and the 90/90 hamstring flexibility test were administered at baseline and at the end of the 8 weeks. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all measurements. A Shapiro-Wilk test was used to test normality. A Wilcoxin signed-rank test was used to analyze pre- and post-test measurements for all variables. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant within-subject difference from pre-test to post-test for balance (p = 0.026), sit and reach (p = 0.000), popliteal angle right (p = 0.005), and popliteal angle left (p = 0.018). There were no statistically significant differences in strength and bilateral coordination from pre-to post-test measurements. CONCLUSIONS: Yoga may be a beneficial form of exercise in the school-based setting for improving balance and flexibility in healthy children.

Effects of yoga on arm volume among women with breast cancer related lymphedema: A pilot study.

Lymphedema affects 3-58% of survivors of breast cancer and can result in upper extremity impairments. Exercise can be beneficial in managing lymphedema. Yoga practice has been minimally studied for its effects on breast cancer related lymphedema (BCRL). The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of yoga on arm volume, quality of life (QOL), self-reported arm function, and hand grip strength in women with BCRL. Six women with BCRL participated in modified Hatha yoga 3×/week for 8 weeks. Compression sleeves were worn during yoga sessions. Arm volume, QOL, self-reported arm function, and hand grip strength were measured at baseline, half-way, and at the conclusion of yoga practice. Arm volume significantly decreased from baseline (2423.3 ml ± 597.2) to final measures (2370.8 ml ± 577.2) (p = .02). No significant changes in QOL (p = .12), self-reported arm function (p = .34), or hand grip strength (p = .26) were found. Yoga may be beneficial in the management of lymphedema.