A study on impact of yoga in improvement of Physical, Psychological, and Social fitness among adolescents

Abstract

Discovering and promoting ways to improve adolescents’ overall fitness has been a recurrent concern and challenge in the field of health and psychology. Adolescence, as a period of transition, is highly prone to health risks and unhealthy behavior patterns. Decrease in physical activity, improper food habits, and sedentary lifestyle in adolescents are very prevalent today. These factors can constitute risks to physical, mental, and social health. Adolescence is the right time to promote healthy practices to prevent problems of health and behavior in adulthood. Even though, fitness during adolescence is considered essential, there is a dearth for effective programs that promote overall fitness in adolescents. Available programs lack in holisticity or integrative approach as they focus on either of the fitness domains such as physical, psychological, or social domains. Indian classical texts provide immense conceptual resources and guidelines on different aspects of life. Texts like Bhagavad-Gita, Taittiriya Upanishad, Patanjali Yoga Sutras explain various components of fitness and techniques that promote fitness at different domains. Integrative approach Yoga is considered an important intervention that provides the right dose of activities to promote health and wellbeing at all five koshas. Research studies indicate that although yoga is being implemented in schools, little is done on studying its effect on overall fitness of adolescents. While yoga in schools is a popular program, residential yoga camps for adolescents are less heard. Further, research studies on the effect of short-term residential yoga program has not been cited. There is also a need to develop effective holistic yoga program that can be replicated in different adolescent populations and different setting other than school as well. AIMS & OBJECTIVES The aim of the present study is to evaluate the efficacy of a seven-day residential, integrated, holistic yoga intervention on certain physical, psychological, and social fitness parameters in adolescents. The primary objective of the study is to examine the effect of yoga on a. Physical fitness, such as strength, speed, flexibility, and coordination b. Psychological, fitness such as Emotional Intelligence, anger, and self-concept c. Social fitness, such as empathy, social competence, altruism, and relationships The secondary objectives are a) To develop an integrated yoga module for overall fitness among adolescents b) To understand the difference in the effects of yoga across genders and age groups. c) To explore the relationships between the changes across physical, psychological and social domains. d) To assess if parents’ observations coincided with that of their children. MATERIALS & METHODS A pre-post yoga interventional study was carried out in three independent cohorts (batches 1, 2 and 3) with sample size of 148 (57.8% male), 167 (73.1% male), and 195 (62.1% male), respectively. The participants of the study included healthy adolescent children (both girls and boys) aged between 9 and 16 years, studying in English-medium schools. The samples were drawn from the children who registered for the seven-day residential yoga camp. Ethical approval and consent from parents and participants were obtained. A seven-day integrated yoga intervention was conducted in a residential setting. The intervention included Asana, Pranayama, Relaxation, Meditation, and also Jnana yoga (Yama- Niyama concepts) and Bhakti yoga. The intervention was spread over from morning 5.00 am till night 9.30 pm with intermittent breaks and free time. Food and lifestyle remained same for all the participants during the program. Physical fitness tasks such as body mass index (BMI), plate-taping test (PLT), sit and reach (SAR), standing broad jump (SBJ), sit-ups (SUP), and 10x5m shuttle run (10x5mR) were assessed using Eurofit battery. Psychological assessments included emotional intelligence, emotional regulation strategies, clinical anger, and self-concept. Social assessments included social competence, empathy, altruism, parent relationship, and peer friendship. Authorized scales and software were used for assessments and relevant analyses were carried out. Data was collected from the participants and their parents using respective versions of the scales for psychosocial assessments.