Effect of yoga on biological age indicators of 14-15-year-old girls

Abstract

Introduction: To increase students' interest in physical activity, new fitness technologies that are relevant today are being introduced. A popular area of health fitness is Yoga with a mental-regulatory focus, which allows you to increase activity and prevent age-related diseases. Objective: The research is dedicated to testing the impact of Yoga on the biological age of schoolchildren. The purpose of the article is to determine the effectiveness of the influence of Yoga in the process of physical education on indicators of the biological age of girls at 14-15 years. Materials and methods: In total, the experiment lasted for one semester (30 classes). It was attended by 83 girls of 10th grade (14-15 years old) of Ternopil Secondary School, who were divided into a control group (CG) - 41 girls and an experimental group (EG) - 42 girls, who are classified as the main medical group. Physical education lessons were traditionally held with CG girls in accordance with the current physical education curriculum. Classes with EG girls were conducted using Yoga for beginners. It has been familiarized with the types of breathing which are used in the practice of Yoga: full yogic breathing (diaphragmatic), middle (chest) and upper (clavicular) breathing. The classic complex "Surya Namaskara" ("The Sun God") was offered, which consists of 12 asanas with gradual complication. Improving the effectiveness of the proposed exercises was ensured by the appropriate conditions for their implementation: the creation of a positive psycho-emotional atmosphere through the acquisition of skills of proper breathing and relaxation of the body; musical accompaniment (slow music with natural motives, if classes were held in the hall); outdoor activities; regular exercises at home. To determine the biological age in the experiment, a method according to V.P. Voitenko was chosen, which reflects the individual, actually achieved level of morphofunctional maturity of individual tissues, organs, systems and the organism as a whole. Results: The introduction of an experimental program of Yoga improved the biological age of EG girls (p <0.05). The indicators of the respiratory system (p <0.05) and static balancing (p <0.01) in EG increased especially in comparison with CG. In addition, EG girls have increased interest in physical education and the desire for independent study at home. Conclusion: The results of the research indicate a positive effect of Yoga on the physiological parameters of the body of girls 14-15 years old and increase interest in this type of exercise.