The Effect of Yoga on the Fitness of Children

Impact of Yoga Intervention on Physical Fitness Parameters in Preadolescent Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study aims to evaluate the effect of yoga on physical fitness among healthy primary school children using a randomized control design. A total of 52 children, ages 8-13, will be randomly assigned to either the Yoga Group or the Control Group. Participants will be assessed using the EUROFIT Test Battery as the primary outcome measure.

The Yoga Group will do 45-minute yoga sessions twice a week for 10 weeks, while the Control Group will not receive any intervention. Outcome assessments will be repeated at the end of the 10-week intervention period.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Physical Endurance; Exercise Test; Muscles
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: yoga

Detailed Description

This investigation is a randomized controlled trial designed to assess the physical fitness levels among primary school-age children subjected to diverse yoga interventions, comparing them with the outcomes observed in a control group devoid of such interventions.The study encompasses a 10-week intervention phase, during which participants undergo evaluation at two specific time points: Initial assessment (M1), conducted one week preceding the commencement of the exercise program, and subsequent evaluation (M2), executed one week post the conclusion of the program.Anthropometric measurements will determine the height of the participants using a non-elastic measuring tape (SECA brand) attached to the wall. Body Mass Index (BMI) will be calculated with the Tanita MC-180MA III device.The physical fitness of children will be measured with the Eurofit test battery.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 52
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Cyprus
  • Nicosia, Cyprus
    • Near East University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participants who do not have any mental or physical disabilities
• Participants who have not participated in any exercise regime for the previous six months

Exclusion Criteria:

• Individuals who do not participate in 90 percent of the 10-week yoga training program.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Yoga Group; The yoga intervention will be implemented every two weeks, with each session lasting 45 minutes and implemented for 10 weeks. Sessions will always be led by the same certified yoga instructor. Each session will include a variety of different yoga poses, as well as breathing techniques and deep relaxation methods.	Other: yoga; The yoga intervention will be implemented every two weeks, with each session lasting 45 minutes and implemented for 10 weeks. Sessions will always be led by the same certified yoga instructor. Each session will include a variety of different yoga poses, as well as breathing techniques and deep relaxation methods.
No Intervention: Control Group; There will be no intervention in the control group.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
EUROFIT Test Battery	The 10 tests for the Eurofit Test Battery are used as standards in the measurements of school-aged children. Anthropometry: Height, Weight, BMI, Skinfold thickness; Flamingo balance test; Arm movement speed; Sit and reach; Standing long jump; Hand grip strength; 30s Shuttle Bent arm hanging; 10 x 5 meter shuttle run; 20 m endurance (shuttle) run	12 weeks
Anthropometric measurements	Anthropometric measurements involved determining participants' height using a non-elastic measuring tape (SECA brand), affixed to a wall. The Tanita MC-180MA III device facilitated weight analysis, and Body Mass Index (BMI) (kg/m2) was calculated by dividing body weight (in kilograms) by the square of height (in meters).	12 weeks
Body Mass Index	Weight in kilograms and height in meters will been calculated and, weight and height will be combined to report BMI in kg/m2.	12 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Near East University, Turkey

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): March 1, 2020
• Primary Completion (Actual): June 1, 2020
• Study Completion (Actual): May 30, 2021

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 17, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 26, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): May 1, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 6, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 2, 2024
• Last Verified: May 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Yoga; Muscle Stretching Exercises; Physical Endurance
• Other Study ID Numbers: YDU/2019/74-938

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No