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 .
Comparative impacts of Tai Chi, balance training, and a specially-designed yoga program on balance in older fallers.
OBJECTIVE To compare the effect of a custom- design ed yoga program with 2 other balance training programs . DESIGN R and omized controlled trial . SETTING Research laboratory . PARTICIPANTS A group of older adults ( N=39 ; mean age , 74.15 ± 6.99 y ) with a history of falling . INTERVENTIONS Three different exercise interventions ( Tai Chi , st and ard balance training , yoga ) were given for 12 weeks . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Balance performance was examined during pre- and posttest using field tests , including the 8-foot up- and -go test , 1-leg stance , functional reach , and usual and maximal walking speed . The static and dynamic balances were also assessed by postural sway and dynamic posturography , respectively . RESULTS Training produced significant improvements in all field tests ( P<.005 ) , but group difference and time × group interaction were not detected . For postural sway , significant decreases in the area of the center of pressure with eyes open ( P=.001 ) and eyes closed ( P=.002 ) were detected after training . For eyes open , maximum medial-lateral velocity significantly decreased for the sample ( P=.013 ) . For eyes closed , medial-lateral displacement decreased for Tai Chi ( P<.01 ) . For dynamic posturography , significant improvements in overall score ( P=.001 ) , time on the test ( P=.006 ) , and 2 linear measures in lateral ( P=.001 ) and anterior-posterior ( P<.001 ) directions were seen for the sample . CONCLUSIONS Yoga was as effective as Tai Chi and st and ard balance training for improving postural stability and may offer an alternative to more traditional programs
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 .