The Effects of Core-Focused Yoga and Yoga- Stabilization Combined Exercise on Isokinetic Trunk Strength and Body Balance

摘要

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of core-focused Yoga versus Yoga-stabilization combined exercise on isokinetic trunk strength and body balance. For this purpose, twenty-two subjects who voluntarily participated in the study were randomly assigned into the core-focused Yoga group and the Yoga-stabilization combined exercise group. All of the subjects underwent each exercise program 3 times per week for eight weeks, 80 minutes a day. Collected data were put to the peak torque of trunk flexion/extension as well as body balance assessment. Results from the study were as follows: 1) Peak torque of trunk flexion showed significant improvement in both groups (p<.001), but group difference and time × group interaction were not found. 2) Body balance revealed significant improvement only in the front and left side in the Yoga group (p<.05), whereas the Yoga-stabilization combined exercise group featured significant improvement in the overall stability in all directions (front, back, right, and left), but group difference and time × group interaction were not found. Our results suggested that core-focused Yoga and Yoga-stabilization combined exercise may be used to enhance the isokinetic trunk strength and body balance. Yoga-stabilization combined exercise, especially, may be used to enhance the body balance in contrast with core-focused Yoga.