Adv Mind Body Med. 2022;36(1):22-28.
Aging can contribute to a decrease in physical activity as a result of metabolic dysfunction and hormonal imbalance that can cause degenerative joint disease and aging-related inflammation. As age advances, a decrease in muscle mass, muscle strength, and flexibility can impair physical function.
The study intended to evaluate the effects of an integrated yoga module in improving the flexibility, muscle strength, and quality of life (QOL) of older adults.
This research team designed a prospective, two-arm, open-label, and parallel, randomized controlled trial.
The study took place in an outpatient department at Divine Park, Yoga & Naturopathy Hospital, Udupi, Karnataka, India.
Participants were 96 older adults, aged 60-75 years (64.1 ± 3.95 years) taking part in a yoga program in the department.
The program was a three-month, yoga-based lifestyle intervention. The participants were randomly allocated to the intervention group (n = 48) or to a waitlisted control group (n = 48). The intervention group underwent three one-hour sessions of yoga weekly, with each session including loosening exercises, asanas, pranayama, and meditation spanning.
At baseline and post intervention, assessments were made: (1) for spinal flexibility using a sit and reach test, (2) for back and leg strength using a back leg dynamometer, (3) for handgrip strength (HGS) and endurance (HGE) using a hand-grip dynamometer, and (4) the Older People's Quality of Life (OPQOL) questionnaire. Analysis was performed employing Wilcoxon's Sign Rank tests and Mann Whitney Tests, using an intention-to-treat approach.
Compared to the control group, the intervention group experienced a significantly greater increase in spinal flexibility (P < .001), back leg strength (P < .001), HGE (P < .01), and QOL (P < .001) after three months of yoga.
Yoga can be used safely for older adults to improve flexibility, strength, and functional QOL. Larger randomized controlled trials with an active control intervention are warranted.
衰老会导致代谢功能障碍和激素失衡，从而导致退行性关节疾病和与衰老相关的炎症，进而导致身体活动减少。随着年龄的增长，肌肉质量、肌肉力量和灵活性的减少会损害身体功能。
本研究旨在评估综合瑜伽模块对改善老年人柔韧性、肌肉力量和生活质量（QOL）的影响。
本研究团队设计了一项前瞻性、双臂、开放标签、平行、随机对照试验。
该研究在印度卡纳塔克邦乌杜皮的Divine Park，瑜伽与顺势疗法医院的门诊部门进行。
96 名年龄在 60-75 岁（64.1±3.95 岁）之间、在该部门参加瑜伽项目的老年人参与了本研究。
该方案是一项为期三个月的基于瑜伽的生活方式干预。参与者被随机分配到干预组（n=48）或候补对照组（n=48）。干预组每周进行三次一小时的瑜伽课程，每次课程包括放松练习、体式、呼吸法和冥想。
在基线和干预后，对以下方面进行评估：（1）使用坐立前屈测试评估脊柱柔韧性，（2）使用后腿部测力计评估背部和腿部力量，（3）使用握力计评估手部握力（HGS）和耐力（HGE），以及（4）使用老年人生活质量（OPQOL）问卷评估生活质量。采用 Wilcoxon 符号秩检验和 Mann-Whitney 检验进行分析，采用意向治疗方法。
与对照组相比，干预组在三个月的瑜伽后，脊柱柔韧性（P<0.001）、后腿部力量（P<0.001）、HGE（P<0.01）和 QOL（P<0.001）显著增加。
瑜伽可以安全地用于老年人，以提高柔韧性、力量和功能性 QOL。需要进行更大规模的随机对照试验，采用积极对照干预。
