Yoga training application in overweight control of seniors with arthritis/osteoarthritis

Abstract

The subject of the paper is oriented on problems of senior revitalization and joints healing. The study reports the application and evaluation of an interventional yoga program for seniors with overweight in arthritis or osteoarthritis combination. The aim of the study is to accomplish significant changes in overweight reduce, pain reduce and selfconcept optimization of participants after the yoga training. The experimental group (ES) was conducted from 58 persons from senior homes in the region of South Bohemia in Czech Republic. The control group (CS) was conducted from 54 persons from senior homes in the region of South Bohemia in Czech Republic. All the probands were disabled seniors with diagnosis of overweight with arthritis or osteoarthritis. ES and CS were compared before and after intervention movement program in somatic and psychological tests, e.g. BMI, measuring of diameters of 10 skin folds with callipers, self-perception gamut, and list of open sentences. In ES a significant discrepancy between input and check out BMI was perceptible. Significant positive changes in the reduction of diameters of 10 skin folds were recorded in female and male of ES after the yoga intervention. Psychological analyses after intervention movement program document shift from anxiety to state fair, from depressive moods to vitality, from fatigue to force and energy, from confusion and uncertainties to self–respect and self-esteem. The intervention program was running in three months cycles in several groups. Whole experiment was completed in one year.