09/10/2021
How effective is a regular practice of sun salutations in improving muscle strength, general body endurance and body composition?
Good question!
One 2009 study, in which 49 male and 30 female participants performed 24 cycles of sun salutations, 6 days a week for 24 weeks — found that SUN SALUTATIONS CAN BE AN IDEAL EXERCISE TO KEEP ONESELF IN OPTIMUM LEVEL OF FITNESS.
Good news, Yogis!
The study found a significant increase in muscle strength, general body endurance (measured by push-up and sit-up tests), and upper body muscle strength (measured by bench press method) for both male and female subjects. A significant decrease in body fat percent
was observed in female subjects (but not in male subjects), while BMI significantly decreased and LBM increased in both the groups.
"Results of the present study indicate that sun salutation has the potential to improve the muscle strength, general body endurance and body composition to the optimum level in healthy individuals. These components in turn, enhance an individual's physical fitness. Sun salutation does not require any tools or gadgets, limited space is enough to perform them and only a few minutes are necessary to perform a given number of cycles. Generally, resistance training which improves muscle strength and aerobic exercises which improve body endurance and body composition are believed to be the essential components of a fitness regimen. However, from the present study, it can be concluded that sun salutation is an easier and less time consuming alternative to improve strength, body composition and general body endurance.”
Link to the free text of the study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3289222/
See you in class!
The purpose of the present study was to evaluate effects of regular practice of sun salutation on muscle strength, general body endurance and body composition.Subjects (49 male and 30 female) performed 24 cycles of sun salutation, 6 days a week for 24 ...