Psychophysiological Outcomes of an 8-Week Yoga Intervention in Sedentary Young Adults: A Randomized Controlled Study

Authors : Ayşe Feray Özbal, Arıkan Ektirici

Pages : 106-118

Doi:10.52272/srad.1826151

View : 37 | Download : 336

Publication Date : 2025-12-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study aimed to examine the impact of an 8-week yoga intervention on physical fitness components (flexibility, dynamic and static balance) and psychological (happiness and mental wellbeing) characteristics in sedentary university students. A pretest-posttest control group design was utilized, with 18 individuals randomly allocated to either a yoga intervention group (n=9) or a control group (n=9). Flexibility was evaluated using the sit-and-reach test, static balance through the Flamingo Balance Test, and dynamic balance using the modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT). Psychological results were assessed using the Oxford Happiness Scale and the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale. Data was analyzed using Linear Mixed-Effects Models (LMM) to account for repeated measures. LMM analyses revealed statistically significant Group x Time interactions for flexibility (F(1,16)=22.98, p<.001), dynamic balance in all directions (e.g., F(1,16)=6.70-16.36, p<.05), happiness (F(1,16)=6.02, p=.026), and mental wellbeing (F(1,16)=7.47, p=.015). No significant changes were observed for static balance or in the control group for any variable. Yoga significantly enhances flexibility, dynamic balance, and mental wellbeing in inactive individuals. Although the impact on static balance is ambiguous, the findings underscore yoga\\\'s extensive advantages for both physical and mental wellbeing.
Keywords : yoga uygulaması, mental iyi oluş, mutluluk, esneklik, denge

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