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Cited by 114Physical Activity and HealthBalance, Gait, and Falls PreventionPhysical Education and Gymnastics

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 23 of the 23 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Yoga is as good as stretching-strengthening exercises in improving functional fitness outcomes: results from a randomized controlled trial

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Gothe, Neha P., McAuley, Edward·2016·The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences
DOI 10.1093/gerona/glv127PMC PMC5864160
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Despite yoga's popularity, few clinical trials have employed rigorous methodology to systematically explore its functional benefits compared with more established forms of exercise. The objective of this study was to compare the functional benefits of yoga with the conventional stretching-strengthening exercises recommended for adults. METHODS: Sedentary healthy adults (N = 118; M age = 62.0) participated in an 8-week (three times a week for 1 hour) randomized controlled trial, which consisted of a Hatha yoga group (n = 61) and a stretching-strengthening exercise group (n = 57). Standardized functional fitness tests assessing balance, strength, flexibility, and mobility were administered at baseline and postintervention. RESULTS: A repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance showed a significant time effect for measures of balance [F(3,18) = 4.88, p < .01, partial η(2) = .45], strength [F(2,19) = 15.37, p < .001, partial η(2) = .62], flexibility [F(4,17) = 8.86, p < .001, partial η(2) = .68], and mobility [F(2,19) = 8.54, p < .002, partial η(2) = .47]. Both groups showed significant improvements on measures of balance (left-right leg and four square step); strength (chair stands and arm curls); flexibility (back scratch and sit-and-reach); and mobility (gait speed and 8-feet up and go), with partial η(2) ranging from .05 to .47. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that regular yoga practice is just as effective as stretching-strengthening exercises in improving functional fitness. To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine functional benefits of yoga in comparison with stretching-strengthening exercises in sedentary, healthy, community-dwelling older adults. These findings have clinical implications as yoga is a more amenable form of exercise than strengthening exercises as it requires minimal equipment and can be adapted for individuals with lower levels of functioning or disabilities.

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Friend J. Anusara Yoga Teacher Training Manual. (9th ed.). The Woodlands, TX: Anusara Press; 2006.

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Metadata

Authors
Gothe, N. P., & McAuley, E.
Affiliations
  • Wayne State University (US)
  • University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (US)
ORCID
Venue
The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2015-08-22
Volume
71
Issue
3
Pages
406-411
ISSN
  • 1079-5006 (ISSN-L)
  • 1758-535X
DOI
10.1093/gerona/glv127
PMC
PMC5864160
OpenAlex
W2173020154
Cited by
114
References
23
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 7
FWCI
5.12
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • The Journals of Gerontology Series A (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
Funders
National Institute on Aging (R01AG020118)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Physical Activity and Health
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation › Balance, Gait, and Falls Prevention
  • Social Sciences › Education › Physical Education and Gymnastics
Keywords
yoga, hatha yoga, functional fitness, older adults, sedentary adults, balance, muscle strength, flexibility, mobility (physical function), exercise comparison
MeSH terms
Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Gait, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Physical Fitness, Retrospective Studies, Yoga, Multivariate Analysis, Muscle Stretching Exercises, Muscle Strength, Healthy Volunteers

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