The effect of high-intensity Hatha Yoga training on physical fitness, respiratory functions, sleep and quality of life in healthy adolescents

The specific effects of high-intensity Hatha Yoga (HY) training in adolescents have not yet been clarified. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of high-density HY education on physical fitness, pulmonary function, sleep and quality of life in healthy adolescents. In our study, 28 female adolescents between the ages of 14-18 were randomly divided into two groups as yoga training and control groups. The first group received high-intensity HY training for 8 weeks, two days a week under the supervision of a physiotherapist and one day a week home program. The other group did not receive any exercise. Flexibility of individuals has been determined by sit-up, back scratching, lateral reach tests; muscular endurance of individuals has been determined by sit-ups, chair stand tests, balance of the individuals has been determined by time-up go test ; the cardiorespiratory capacity of the individuals has been determined by incremental shuttle walking test and respiratory functions of the individuals has been determined by spirometry. Ouality of life has been determined by with the Quality of Life Scale for Children; their sleep quality has been determined by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Scale; and their anxiety has been determined by Beck Anxiety Inventory. As a result of the study, flexibility, muscular endurance, balance, incremental shuttle walking test (AHMYT) results showed that there has been a significant statistically improvement in heart rate start and end values, leg fatigue and walking distance measurements, anxiety, sleep quality and quality of life in yoga training group. (p <0.05). The difference between the two groups was also significantly different (p <0.05). According to pulmonary function test results, statistically significant results were obtained in all measurements except for FEV1 / FVC (p <0.05). In the control group, no significant change has been observed in any outcome measure except FEV1 and IC (p <0.05). In conclusion, it is thought that high-density HY is a safe and feasible exercise modality in adolescents, and these effects should be examined in more cases and in different disease groups in future studies.