Physiological and psychological responses to a 12-week BodyBalance training programme

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Psychology
• Health and Fitness

Background:

• Mind-body exercise programs, such as BodyBalance, are widely practiced but often make unsubstantiated health claims.
• There is a need to scientifically evaluate the physiological and psychological impacts of these popular programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the physiological and psychological effects of a 12-week BodyBalance exercise program on adults.
• To compare outcomes between an intervention group and a control group.

Main Methods:

• 17 adults participated in three 1-hour BodyBalance classes weekly for 12 weeks.
• A control group of 17 adults attended three 90-minute health lectures weekly for 12 weeks.
• ANCOVA was used to analyze differences in body mass, skinfold measures, girth circumference, back strength, flexibility, and state anxiety between groups.

Main Results:

• The BodyBalance group showed significant improvements in body mass, reduced body fat, decreased girth circumference, and increased maximal isometric back strength.
• Significant enhancements in flexibility were observed, including modified sit-and-reach, hip flexion/extension/abduction, and lateral trunk flexion.
• State anxiety (STAI) scores significantly decreased in the intervention group at weeks 1, 6, and 12.

Conclusions:

• The BodyBalance program offers significant benefits for physical health, including improved body composition, strength, and flexibility.
• Mind-body exercise interventions like BodyBalance can effectively reduce state anxiety and enhance psychological well-being.
• These findings provide empirical support for the efficacy of BodyBalance in improving both physical and mental health outcomes.