Abstract
Although the number of adults aged 65 and older has been steadily increasing world-wide for the past three decades, few studies have been conducted to explore the benefits of a yoga-type exercise program for those residing in assisted living facilities. A within-subjects repeated measures quasi-experimental design was used to examine the effectiveness of standing yoga postures in improving strength, balance, and quality of life in older adults currently residing in an assisted living facility. In the single-group design the participants were pre-assessed in week one, reassessed in week 2 for test-retest reliability, attended a 30-minute exercise session three times per week for 6 weeks, and then completed post-assessment testing. Twelve individuals (M age = 83) participated in the study. The participant’ isometric knee strength was assessed along with performance of the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and completion of the Older People’s Quality of Life-Brief Questionnaire. Differences from pre-to post intervention testing were examined using paired samples t-tests. The relationship between attendance of the exercise sessions and changes in the dependent variables was measured using the Pearson correlation. No significant difference was found in total SPPB score, balance, or sit-to-stand. Gait speed improved significantly (3.0-3.42; p = .009).
Keywords: yoga intervention, older adults, strength, balance, gait, quality-of-life
Department/Program
Health and Human Performance
Submission Type
in-person poster
Date
4-9-2024
Rights
Copyright the Author(s) © by Anita Marie Walters, 2024
Recommended Citation
Walters, Anita and Kriley, Luke
(2024)
"Effects of Yoga on Older Residing in Assisted Living Facilities,"
SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days: Vol. 2024, Article 70.
Available at:
https://scholars.fhsu.edu/sacad/vol2024/iss2024/70