Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 13, 2025
Resting-State Connectivity and Neuroimaging of Prefrontal Cortex Activity During a Block-Design Yoga Asana Practice Using fNIRS
Published on: June 24, 2025
Effect of Long-term Regular Yoga on Physical Health of Yoga Practitioners
Manisha Kalpesh Gohel1, Ajay G Phatak2, Utpala N Kharod3
1Department of Community Medicine, Pramukhswami Medical College, Karamsad, Gujarat, India.
Background:
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline. The effect of yoga on mental health has been studied extensively in India but less in the context of physical health.
Objective:
The objective was to explore the effect of long-term regular yoga on physical health of yoga practitioners.
Materials And Methods:
It was an interventional study. Inclusion criteria were students who enrolled for 1-year diploma course at the yoga center. Exclusion criteria were nonregular yoga practitioners during the course. Physical health parameters considered for assessment before and after the yoga course were pulmonary function tests, maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max) using Bruce treadmill test, flexibility, body composition analysis, and hemoglobin level. Paired sample t-test and Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis.
Results:
The aerobic capacity improved significantly in terms of mean (standard deviation [SD]) forced vital capacity (P < 0.001), forced expiration volume at the end of the first second (P < 0.001) as well as peak expiratory flow rate (P = 0.04). The mean (SD) flexibility score improved significantly (P < 0.001). Similarly, the endurance improved significantly in terms of mean (SD) Vo2 max (< 0.001) and treadmill time (P < 0.001). There was no significant change in body composition and hemoglobin level.
Conclusions:
Regular yoga practitioners demonstrated the improvement in pulmonary functions, cardiorespiratory fitness, endurance, and flexibility.
More Related Videos
05:06Author Spotlight: Integrating Tai Chi with Mindfulness Training to Achieve an Effective Mind-Body Exercise
Published on: July 14, 2023
10:45A Community-based Stress Management Program: Using Wearable Devices to Assess Whole Body Physiological Responses in Non-laboratory Settings
Published on: January 22, 2018
Related Concept Videos
01:25Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques III
The Role of Exercise in Stress Management
Regular physical activity is essential for reducing stress and promoting cardiovascular health. Exercise strengthens the heart, enhances blood flow, keeps blood vessels flexible, and helps lower blood pressure, all of which reduce the body's stress response. Research shows that adults who exercise regularly have nearly half the...
01:20Lifestyle Factors and Health
Benefits of Physical Activity
Physical activity, whether through structured exercise or casual activities like walking, biking, or dancing, is a cornerstone of a...
01:20Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
01:17Exercise and Cardiac Output
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be...
02:20Longitudinal Research
01:27Exercise and Muscle Performance
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...