Abstract

Background: Childhood health forms a foundation for adult health. Any form of regular exercise during childhood improves the strength of skeletal muscles. Yoga training includes practice of various postural asana, controlled breathing, and relaxation.

Objective: To study the effect of yoga training on handgrip strength (HGS) and handgrip endurance (HGE) in schoolchildren.

Materials and Methods: This prospective case–control study was conducted among sixty healthy school children in the age group of 12–15 years. A total of 30 children (study group) were given yoga training for 45 min, 5 days a week for 4 months. Thirty children (control group) were not put to yoga training. HGS and HGE were measured at the outset and after 4 months in all 60 children. Results were analyzed by student’s paired ‘t’-test.

Result: Yoga training produced statistically significant improvement in HGS and HGE in study group when compared with controlled group.

Conclusion: Our study concludes that yoga training for 4 months improves the strength of skeletal muscles in school children as measured by HGS and HGE.

Key words: Yoga training, children, handgrip strength (HGS), handgrip endurance (HGE)