The effect of selective Hata yoga training on balance of elderly women

The aim of current study was to determine the effects of Hata yogatraining on dynamic and static balances of elderly women in Mashhad. The present study enjoys the semi-experimental design.The statistical population of the study, which has been carried out in 2009, wereelderly women of Mashhad who were voluntarily invited to participate in theresearch. 29 healthy elderly women aged 56-72 years old have been selected whohaven’t had any disease history during the last one year such as: advancedosteoporosis, hip replacement, glaucoma, Parkinson’s disease, common occurrencesof dizziness, or any surgery. Before and after doing the Hata yoga training programwhich was performed in 3- sessions of 1- hour during 8 weeks; Dynamic and staticbalances were evaluated by fall risk test and postural stability test respectively byBiodex Balance System. Finally data were analyzed by using Variance analysis(GLM-repeated measures) and Dependent T-test and the significance of results wasα= 0/05. The effects of 24 sessions of Hata yoga training were significant on static balance: overall(p=0/001), anterior-posterior(p=0/002), medial-lateral(p=0/006) anddynamic balance of elderly women (p=0/00). Considering the positive influence of Hata yoga training on dynamicand static balances, it is concluded that Hata yoga training has led to theimprovement muscle strength among elderly women particularly endurance andstrength of muscles in lower extremity and may increase the efficiency of neuromotorsystem and improve somatosensory of muscles and joints by ameliorating theexisted balance and decreasing fall risk in elderly women.