Effect of Yoga Program on Minimum Muscular Fitness of Orphan Adolescents by Using Kraus-Weber Test:A Randomized Wait-List Controlled Study

Muscle strength is an imperative component of physical fitness. Yoga has frequently been demonstrated to improve physical fitness in adolescents. This study aimed to assess the effect of 12 weeks yoga program on minimum muscular fitness of adolescents dwelling in an orphanage. This was a randomized wait-list controlled pre post study. Seventy two (40 yoga, 32 control) apparently healthy orphan adolescents of both genders with a range of age 11-16 years matched based on age, gender and orphan status were recruited. Minimum muscular fitness was assessed using the Kraus-Weber test at baseline and after 12 weeks of yoga intervention. SSPSS 18.0 was used for data analysis. The percentage of students passed in yoga group were 20 %, and 75 % in pre and post tests respectively whereas percentages in control group remained the same (40.6%) in both tests. McNemar test shows significant differences between pre and post (P<0.001) in yoga group while those in control group was not significant. The study suggests that yoga have considerable benefits to improve muscular fitness level in orphan children and may be recommended as an effective training activity option for them.