Effect of Yaga and Core Exercise on Abdominal Endurance, Flexibility and Weight Management in Overweight College Women

Abstract

Obesity is a common health issue, and it is becoming more visible globally. The physical activity or exercise will take place as first priority for lifestyle strategies rather than only in dieting. The study objectives were to find out effect of yoga and core exercise on flexibility, abdominal endurance, BMI and waist hip ratio in overweight or obeys college women was the first objective and second was to compare the effects between yoga and core exercise on the variables in overweight or obeys college women.The study was a 12 weeks randomized controlled study designTotal 60 overweight and obese college level women participants were engaged followed by BMI ranged 23-29.5 kg /mt². They were randomly divided in three groups yoga, core exercise and control groups. Under an expert supervisor interventions of yoga asanas and core exercise were performed continued to 12 weeks. The abdominal endurance, flexibility, BMI and waist hip ratio were measure initial day (Baseline) and just afterof 12 weeks intervention.Study showed significant improvement in abdominal endurance, flexibility, BMI and waist hip ratio in overweight or obese college women in yoga group as well as core exercise group (p<0.05), whereas comparative result revealed flexibility was better improved in yoga group than core exercise and other variables were similar effects in yoga and core exercise intervention (p<0.05).The both yoga and core exercise methods were effective inabdominal endurance,flexibility improvement and in weight management in overweight and obese women. Yoga training was more effective in flexibility improvement.