Physical-Performance Outcomes and Biomechanical Correlates from the 32-Week Yoga Empowers Seniors Study

Table 3

Possible clinical implications of the findings in physical adaptations following a 32-week Hatha yoga intervention for seniors.

Measurements	Significant improvement	Possible clinical implication
Functional performance
Timed chair stand	Mild	↑ ADL independence
		↑ gait speed
		↓ disability
		↓ risks of falls
8-foot up and go	Moderate	↑ ADL independence
		↑ balance
		↑ gait speed
		↓ risks of falls
2 min step	Moderate	↑ aerobic capacity
		↑ gait speed
		↑ quality of life
		↓ risks of falls
Vertical reach	Very mild	↑ ADL independence
Horizontal reach	None	No effect
Strength measures
Elbow flexor	None	No effect
Elbow extensor	None	No effect
Knee flexor	Moderate	↓ incidence of falls
		↓ LE disability
Knee extensor	None	No effect
Hip abductor	None	No effect
Heel rise	Major	↑ ADL independence
		↑ gait speed
		↓ risks of falls
Flexibility
Back scratch	None	No effect
Sit and reach	None	No effect
Balance
Single/double limb standing with eyes open/closed	None	No effect

↑ = increase; ↓ = decrease; ADL = activities of daily living; LE = lower-extremity.
Significant improvement after 32 weeks of intervention is categorized by Cohen’s effect sizes (mild = ; moderate = ; major = ). None = no statistically significant improvement was found.