Abstract
Background: Body balance control represents a key function for the physical activities of elderly people aged sixty-five and over. Due to the biological and psychosocial changes in this age group, yoga-based intervention appears to be beneficial to maintaining their ability to balance along with related mental aspects of health. Objective: The aim of the presented study was to examine the effects of the 4-week yoga-based intervention on balance, body composition and the mental health aspects of elderly men. Methods: 67-80-year-old elderly men (N = 234, mean age 72.5 ± 7.7 years) were assessed with The Tinetti Balance Assessment Tool, bioimpedance body composition analyser InBody 230 and the Health Survey SF-36, applied for the pre- and post-testing. The experimental group (n = 122) underwent the 4-week intervention based on yoga exercises, while the control group (n = 112) had a usual daily program at their senior homes or centers. Results: The yoga intervention led to significant improvement of both the static balance and gait scores compared to the control group, with medium effect size, ηp2 = .070 and .080. The intervention also had an effect on the decrease of body fat percentage (by 1.7%) and an increase in muscle mass (by 1.3 kg), with a large effect size, ηp2 = .214 and .301. Results of the Health Survey showed that overall mental health did not change significantly although positive improvement in two items connected with emotional problems. Conclusions: A short-term yoga-based intervention may have a significant positive influence on physical abilities such as balance control and body composition rather than on mental health aspects in elderly men aged sixty-five and over.
Highlights
With increasing age, postural control and balance skills begin to worsen (Buso et al, 2019; Shumway-Cook & Woollacott, 2016)
The experimental (yoga) group (Exp) group decreased in body fat percentage by 1.7% of fat while the control group (Con) group increased the median of this variable by 0.3% of body fat (Table 1)
The analysis showed the effect of the Measurement on body fat percentage and Group × Measurement interaction was statistically significant, p < .001, with a large effect size, η2p = .214 (Table 1)
Summary
Postural control and balance skills begin to worsen (Buso et al, 2019; Shumway-Cook & Woollacott, 2016). Motor performance and learning issues are specific in the elderly due to the potential dysfunction of the central and peripheral nervous system as well as the neuromuscular system These specifics manifest themselves as coordination difficulties, lack of fitness, slower and less precise movements, balance and gait difficulties (Gilleard & Higgs, 2005). Due to the biological and psychosocial changes in this age group, yoga-based intervention appears to be beneficial to maintaining their ability to balance along with related mental aspects of health. Objective: The aim of the presented study was to examine the effects of the 4-week yoga-based intervention on balance, body composition and the mental health aspects of elderly men. Conclusions: A short-term yogabased intervention may have a significant positive influence on physical abilities such as balance control and body composition rather than on mental health aspects in elderly men aged sixty-five and over
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