Effects of 12 weeks yoga practice on body composition and cardiopulmonary status of 10–12 years female volunteers

Abstract

Background and Aim: Yoga practice may be beneficial for promotion of good health and mental well-being of the children and helps them to adopt with the changing environment. The present study has been designed to find out the effects of 12 weeks of yoga practice on body composition and cardiopulmonary variables of 10–12 years female volunteers. Materials and Methods: Ninety-eight healthy female children volunteers (age 10–12 years) were screened, among them thirty eight were excluded, and the remaining 60 volunteers were randomly divided into: (i) experimental Group (n =30) and (b) control Group (n =30). Yoga practice (60 min/d, 06 d/wk for 12 wks) was followed in the yoga group with no yoga practice in control group. Body composition, heart rate, blood pressure, and pulmonary functions were assessed in both the groups at the beginning (0 week) and after 12 weeks. Results: Significant increase (P