OBJECTIVE To compare the effects of yoga and aerobic exercise (AE) on wellbeing in physically inactive, but otherwise healthy older adults. A secondary objective was to assess and compare the… Click to show full abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the effects of yoga and aerobic exercise (AE) on wellbeing in physically inactive, but otherwise healthy older adults. A secondary objective was to assess and compare the frequency of adverse events associated with yoga and AE. DESIGN Twelve-week, three-group, parallel randomized controlled trial with blinded follow-up assessment. INTERVENTIONS Participants were supported to complete ≥3 Hatha yoga classes/week or ≥3 AE sessions/week. A wait-list control (WLC) group continued usual daily activities. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Change in wellbeing, assessed using the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and Life Satisfaction Index-Z (LSI),at baseline and at 12-week follow up. RESULTS In total, 82 adults (mean age 72.5 years, range 65-85, 77% female) were recruited. Of these, 27 were randomized to yoga, 29 to aerobic exercise and 26 to wait-list control. Medium-magnitude treatment effects (Hedges' g) were seen for yoga versus WLC and AE versus WLC(SWLS, g = 0.65 and 0.56; LSI, g = 0.54 and 0.54, respectively). In per-protocol analyses, larger effect sizes were found (SWLS, g = 0.72 and 0.66; LSI, g = 0.76 and 0.76, respectively). Adverse events were less frequent in the yoga group (6/27; 22%) compared to AE (10/27; 37%). CONCLUSIONS Among physically inactive older adults, participation in yoga or AE was associated with beneficial effects on subjective wellbeing when compared to a non-active control group. Yoga was associated with fewer injuries and may be especially suitable for older adults (DRKS 00015093).
               
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