Yoga and Aerobic Exercise Boost Children's Activity Levels in Rural India

Physical inactivity is a big problem around the world. It contributes to many serious health issues, known as non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Every year, this leads to about 3.2 million deaths globally. This issue is especially concerning for children. If kids are not active, they may have health problems when they grow older. In India, the cost of physical inactivity is expected to be around 35.4 billion USD from 2020 to 2030. Since 2016, children and young people in India have been less active, and this decline has gotten worse during the coronavirus pandemic. This is a big challenge for doctors and policymakers who want to help kids lead active lives.

Despite numerous policies and programs aimed at getting kids moving, many children still do not meet the recommended activity levels. These initiatives range from school programs to government investments in sports facilities. To change the trend of physical inactivity, it’s important to consider local cultures and values. One traditional practice that stands out is Yoga. Yoga may help kids be more active and support their physical health. Both breathing exercises and physical poses in yoga can improve how children move, make their muscles stronger, and can even help with mental health.

#The Need for Research

While we know that yoga has many benefits, we do not yet have clear evidence linking yoga practice to moderate or vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA) in children. Some initial studies have hinted at this connection, but more research is needed to understand how these activities relate to each other. The idea is that practicing yoga may lead children to be more active in other ways, which could increase their overall physical activity. However, it is equally important to study the effects of Aerobic Exercise on activity levels.

Additionally, we need to look at how different factors, like Gender, affect the relationship between yoga and physical activity. Girls, in particular, are often less active than boys, so it’s essential to develop strategies that encourage physical activity among girls. Therefore, this study aims to investigate how yoga and aerobic exercise influence the physical activity levels of children in rural India, while also considering differences between boys and girls.

#Study Design and Methodology

This study is based on previously collected data from a larger trial that compared yoga, aerobic exercise, and protein supplementation among 232 children aged 6 to 11 years. The kids were recruited from two randomly selected government schools in two villages near Pune, India. Parents gave their consent, and ethics approval was obtained from the local ethics committee.

#Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria

For the study, male children aged 7 to 11 years and female children aged 6 to 10 years were included. This age range was chosen because girls tend to reach puberty earlier. Children also needed to provide data on their physical activity levels at the beginning and end of the study. Those taking medication that could impact their bone or muscle health or those with chronic illnesses were not included.

#Recruitment and Randomization

Before the study, parents of 260 children were approached, and 240 agreed to participate. A data manager, not involved in the study itself, randomly assigned the children to one of three groups: yoga, aerobic exercise, or a control group.

#The Intervention

All children received a protein supplement six days a week for six months. The supplement included healthy ingredients like groundnuts, sesame seeds, dates, skimmed milk powder, and cane sugar.

Children in the yoga group participated in a 30-minute yoga session five days a week. This session included various poses that utilized many muscle groups. The aerobic exercise group also engaged in 30 minutes of activity five days a week, which included a warm-up, strengthening exercises, and a cool-down. In the early weeks, instructors helped ensure the children performed the exercises correctly.

#Data Collection

Data was collected at the beginning and end of the six months. Information on age, gender, body mass index (BMI), sunlight exposure, diet, and physical activity was gathered using surveys completed in the presence of caregivers. Researchers measured height and weight with a special tool.

#Data Analysis

Statistics were used to analyze the data. The study looked at the average activity levels before and after the intervention, along with differences between the groups. Gender differences in activity levels were also evaluated.

A total of 151 children were included in the final analysis: 50 in the yoga group, 49 in the aerobic group, and 52 in the control group. The sample included slightly more boys than girls. There were no significant differences in age and gender among the groups, but there was a notable difference in BMI at the end of the study, with the aerobic exercise group showing higher values.

#Results

The study found that both yoga and aerobic exercise significantly increased physical activity levels among the kids. Specifically, the yoga group saw an increase of about 36 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day by the end of the study, while the aerobic group saw an increase of around 32 minutes. The control group did not experience similar increases in activity levels.

When looking specifically at boys, all groups showed increases in activity levels. But for girls, only the yoga group showed a significant increase in activity levels, highlighting how yoga may help female children become more active.

#Discussion

These findings point to the effectiveness of both yoga and aerobic exercise in getting children moving. The study suggests that both practices promote not just physical fitness but also improve overall health. Importantly, yoga, being a culturally relevant practice in India, can be a great option for getting kids active, especially in rural areas where resources may be limited.

Yoga can be practiced indoors and is cost-effective, making it accessible for most communities. Furthermore, teaching children culturally appropriate exercises can engage families and communities, encouraging a stronger commitment to physical activity. This is critical as many children in India are not as active as they should be.

Another exciting aspect of this study is how gender affects physical activity levels. While boys generally increased their activity with both yoga and aerobic exercise, girls showed significant improvement only with yoga. This finding emphasizes the importance of creating strategies aimed at increasing physical activity for girls, who often face barriers due to cultural norms.

Moreover, as children’s activity levels improved, the overall distribution of those levels became more equal. Initially, many children were very inactive. By the end of the intervention, more kids showed a similar level of activity, which is important for promoting health equity.

#Conclusion

In summary, both yoga and aerobic exercise can effectively increase physical activity levels among children in rural India. While both methods are beneficial, yoga stands out as a culturally relevant and accessible option that could be particularly effective for girls. With the increasing rates of physical inactivity among children, it is crucial to implement programs that use local practices, like yoga, to combat this trend.

This study highlights the need for further research into long-term effects and the potential of yoga and similar practices in promoting active living for children. By addressing the specific needs of communities, especially in gender-specific ways, we can work towards building healthier futures for all children.