Conclusion This review is the first to compare the effects of yoga with active and inactive controls in older adults not characterised by a specific clinical condition .
Results indicate that yoga interventions improve multiple physical function and HRQoL outcomes in this population compared to both control conditions .
This study provides robust evidence for promoting yoga in physical activity guidelines for older adults as a multimodal activity that improves aspects of fitness like strength , balance and flexibility , as well as mental wellbeing .
Background Yoga has been recommended as a muscle strengthening and balance activity in national and global physical activity guidelines .
However , the evidence base establishing the effectiveness of yoga in improving physical function and health related quality of life ( HRQoL ) in an older adult population not recruited on the basis of any specific disease or condition , has not been systematic ally review ed .
The objective of this study was to synthesis e existing evidence on the effects of yoga on physical function and HRQoL in older adults not characterised by any specific clinical condition .
The Effect of Yoga on Balance and Fear of Falling in Older Adults.
OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of yoga on balance and fear of falling in older adults . DESIGN R and omized controlled trial . SETTING Jah and idegan Center in Shiraz , southern Iran . PARTICIPANTS Forty persons ( 17 men and 23 women ) between the ages of 60 - 74 years with a Modified Falls Efficacy Scale ( MFES ) score < 8 and a Berg Balance Scale ( BBS ) score < 45 . After completing the MFES question naire and BBS measurement , the participants were divided into intervention and control groups . BBS measurement and the MFES  question naire were completed again immediately after the intervention . INTERVENTION The intervention group participated in 2 yoga practice sessions per week for 8 weeks . The control group received no intervention . MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS Fear of falling was measured with the MFES and balance was measured with the BBS . RESULTS We found significant changes in both variables ( P < .0001 ) . Mean differences before and after the intervention for the BBS for yoga and control groups were 10.19 and -1.16 , respectively . Mean differences before and after the intervention for the MFES for yoga and control groups were 1.62 and -0.21 , respectively . CONCLUSION Yoga is a potential intervention to reduce fear of falling and improve balance in older adults
Conclusion This review is the first to compare the effects of yoga with active and inactive controls in older adults not characterised by a specific clinical condition .
Results indicate that yoga interventions improve multiple physical function and HRQoL outcomes in this population compared to both control conditions .
This study provides robust evidence for promoting yoga in physical activity guidelines for older adults as a multimodal activity that improves aspects of fitness like strength , balance and flexibility , as well as mental wellbeing .
Background Yoga has been recommended as a muscle strengthening and balance activity in national and global physical activity guidelines .
However , the evidence base establishing the effectiveness of yoga in improving physical function and health related quality of life ( HRQoL ) in an older adult population not recruited on the basis of any specific disease or condition , has not been systematic ally review ed .
The objective of this study was to synthesis e existing evidence on the effects of yoga on physical function and HRQoL in older adults not characterised by any specific clinical condition .