Effect of yoga on EUROFIT physical fitness parameters on adolescents dwelling in an orphan home: A randomized control study

Abstract

ABSTRACTChildhood parental loss, parental separation, poverty and rearing in orphanages have negative impact on physical, psychological and social well-being in orphans. Yoga has a profound knowledge base and practical solutions for such traumatic consequences. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of a Yoga program on the physical fitness of adolescents staying in an orphanage. A total of 72 apparently healthy adolescents participated from an orphanage. They were randomized (based on their age and gender) and allocated into two groups as Yoga group (n = 40; 14 girls, 26 boys and age = 12.69 ± 1.35) and Wait-List Control group (WLC) (n = 32, 13 girls, 19 boys and age = 12.58 ± 1.52). The Yoga group (YG) underwent 3 months of Yoga program in a schedule of 90 mins/day and 4 days/week, whereas the WLC group underwent day-to-day activities. European physical fitness test battery (EUROFIT) was assessed in both groups at the beginning and end of the program. The group × time interaction analysis showed significant (p < 0.05) positive differences in Flamingo left-leg balance (FLL), Flamingo right-leg balance (FLR), left-hand tapping test (PTL), right-hand tapping test (PTR), sit and reach (SAR), standing broad jump (SBJ), sit-ups (SUP), bent arm hang (BAH) test, shuttle run (SHR) in YG compared to WLC group. Further analysis done on group × time interaction along with Bonferroni-corrected p-values showed significant positive differences in FLL, FLR, PTL, PTR, SAR, SBJ and SUP in YG compared to WLC group. The results suggested that the 3-month Yoga program was found useful for the young orphan adolescents in improving their physical fitness.