<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<sec id="j_sjph-2022-0012_s_006">
<h3>Introduction</h3>
<p>Body balance control represents a key factor preventing falls and subsequent injuries in seniors aged 65+. Intervention based on yoga exercises seem to be effective in improving balance.</p>
</sec>
<sec id="j_sjph-2022-0012_s_007">
<h3>Objective</h3>
<p>The objective is to analyse and compare changes in static, dynamic, and total balance scores, changes in body composition and social indices as effects of yoga-based intervention.</p></sec>
<sec id="j_sjph-2022-0012_s_008">
<h3>Methods</h3>
<p>A total of 500 participants (234 men aged 74.5 SD±7.74 and 266 women aged 76.9 SD±7.23) were assessed using the Tinetti Balance Assessment Tool, the InBody 230 bioimpedance body composition analyser, and the SF-36 Health Survey, applied to pre and post-testing. The experimental group (n=262; 122 males; 140 females) underwent a four-week yoga-based intervention, 30 minutes daily, while the control group (n=238; 112 males; 126 females) underwent its usual daily programme at senior homes or centres. The ANOVA model, consisting of the Group, Stage, Subject and Group × Stage interaction factors, was used for data evaluation.</p></sec>
<sec id="j_sjph-2022-0012_s_009">
<h3>Results</h3>
<p>Intervention led to improvements in the static, dynamic and total balance scores in the experimental group compared to the control group. The results of SF-36 showed positive changes in the psychosocial aspects of health, such as promoting of calmness and happiness in male seniors and reducing fatigue, nervousness and depression in female seniors. The post-intervention decrease in body fat percentage and increase in muscle mass in seniors is discussed.</p></sec>
<sec id="j_sjph-2022-0012_s_010">
<h3>Conclusions</h3>
<p>The four-week yoga-based intervention had positive effects on the static, dynamic and total balance scores, body composition and social status.</p>
</sec>
</abstract>

Introduction
Body balance control represents a key factor preventing falls and subsequent injuries in seniors aged 65+. Intervention based on yoga exercises seem to be effective in improving balance.


Objective
The objective is to analyse and compare changes in static, dynamic, and total balance scores, changes in body composition and social indices as effects of yoga-based intervention.

Methods
A total of 500 participants (234 men aged 74.5 SD±7.74 and 266 women aged 76.9 SD±7.23) were assessed using the Tinetti Balance Assessment Tool, the InBody 230 bioimpedance body composition analyser, and the SF-36 Health Survey, applied to pre and post-testing. The experimental group (n=262; 122 males; 140 females) underwent a four-week yoga-based intervention, 30 minutes daily, while the control group (n=238; 112 males; 126 females) underwent its usual daily programme at senior homes or centres. The ANOVA model, consisting of the Group, Stage, Subject and Group × Stage interaction factors, was used for data evaluation.

Results
Intervention led to improvements in the static, dynamic and total balance scores in the experimental group compared to the control group. The results of SF-36 showed positive changes in the psychosocial aspects of health, such as promoting of calmness and happiness in male seniors and reducing fatigue, nervousness and depression in female seniors. The post-intervention decrease in body fat percentage and increase in muscle mass in seniors is discussed.

Conclusions
The four-week yoga-based intervention had positive effects on the static, dynamic and total balance scores, body composition and social status.

Yoga exercise intervention improves balance control and prevents falls in seniors aged 65+

Slovenian Journal of Public Health

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Ukrep z vajami joge izboljša nadzor ravnotežja in preprečuje padce pri starejših od 65 let

Introduction
Body balance control represents a key factor preventing falls and subsequent injuries in seniors aged 65+. Intervention based on yoga exercises...

Yoga exercise intervention improves balance control and prevents falls in seniors aged 65+

Article Category: Original scientific article

Published Online: Mar 21, 2022

Page range: 85 - 92

Received: Jul 14, 2021

Accepted: Jan 20, 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/sjph-2022-0012

Keywords
ageing, balance control, chair yoga, health promotion, social health

© 2022 National Institute of Public Health, Slovenia, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Yoga exercise intervention improves balance control and prevents falls in seniors aged 65+

Article Category: Original scientific article

Published Online: Mar 21, 2022

Page range: 85 - 92

Received: Jul 14, 2021

Accepted: Jan 20, 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/sjph-2022-0012

Keywordsageing, balance control, chair yoga, health promotion, social health

© 2022 National Institute of Public Health, Slovenia, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
ageing, balance control, chair yoga, health promotion, social health