Korean J Adult Nurs.  2014 Feb;26(1):22-33. 10.7475/kjan.2014.26.1.22.

Effects of Yoga Exercise Program on Response of Stress, Physical Fitness and Self-esteem in the Middle-aged Women

• Park MS
• Kim KS

• KMID: 2351587
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7475/kjan.2014.26.1.22

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study examined the effects of a yoga exercise program on stress response, physical fitness and self-esteem among middle-aged women.
METHODS
Participants were 39 middle-aged females from District Y in Seoul who were assigned to either a treatment (N=19) or to a control group (N=20). The treatment participated three times a week in a yoga exercise program which included classes and practices. Data collection instruments included the Symptoms of Stress Inventory (1977), the Rosenberg's self-esteem scale (1965) and measurements of grip strength, flexibility and balance. The data were analyzed using the SPSS-WIN 12.0 program.
RESULTS
The treatment group had significantly lower score for stress response (t=-6.18, p<.001) and higher scores on grip strength (t=2.52, p=.018), balance (t=3.24, p=.003), and self-esteem (t=4.46, p<.001). There was no significant difference in flexibility (F=0.51, p=.479).
CONCLUSION
The yoga exercise program can be used as a nursing intervention for middle-aged women to reduce stress and improve self-esteem.

MeSH Terms

Data Collection
Female
Hand Strength
Humans
Nursing
Physical Fitness*
Pliability
Seoul
Yoga*

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