The effects of yoga and nintendo wii fit on balance and quality of life in older men

The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the effects of a 10-week yoga and Nintendo Wii Fit training on quality of life and balance in older men. Fourty-five older men who aged between 60 and 86 were divided into a yoga group ( n:15, 69,00 ± 5,64 years), Wii group (n:15, 74,40 ± 7,22 years) and control group (n:15, 72,13 ± 7,97 years) . The experimental groups completed yoga and Wii training twice a week for 10 weeks while the control group continued with normal activities. To assess the balance and the functionality of all participants Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), Single Limb Stance (SLS) and Falls Efficiacy Scale (FES), to measure quality of life Short Form 36 (SF-36), to assess postural alignment changes The New York Posture Rating (NYPR) was applied. The other measurements were muscle strength, muscle shortness and joint range of motion of trunk and lower extremities. All the measurements were assessed at before and after the intervention. There were no significant differences between the groups for SLS scores (p>0,05). The yoga intervention produced improvements in a number of quality-of- life measures related to sense of general health and emotional role compared to the control group (p<0,05). The Wii intervention produced improvements in a number of quality-of- life measures related to sense of general health and social functioning compared to the control group (p<0,05). The yoga and Wii groups scored significantly lower on the FES ( p = 0.001) and TUG than the control group (p<0,05). Yoga and Wii groups significantly improved knee extansor muscle strength compared to the control group (p<0,05). Yoga group had significant improvements in upper body segment of the NYPR chart compared to the control group (p<0,05). SF-36 and FES questionnaires were repetead again at 36 weeks after intervention. Yoga and Wii groups showed significant differences in FES at 36 weeks (p<0,05). Wii group scored significantly higher than the control group on sense of general health and social functioning in the SF-36 at 36 weeks (p<0,05). Both the Wii and yoga exercise groups showed significant improvement in functional balance and quality of life compared to the control group. Yoga and Wii are both economical, effective and safe methods to improve quality of life and balance for sedentary older men. Key Words: Yoga, Virtual Reality, Quality of Life, Balance, Elderly