The Effect of Yoga Practices on Cognitive Development in Rural Residential School Children in India

Abstract

Objective: To study the effect of yoga practices on selected cognitive development variables among adolescent rural residential school children. Materials and Methods: Eighty two students, age ranged from 11-15 years, were randomly divided into experimental (n=41) and control (n=41) groups. Selected cognitive development variables were evaluated at the baseline and at the end of 12 weeks of yoga training in both groups. Results: Significant improvement was observed in measures of mental ability and memory in experimental group. However, no statistically significant changes were observed in measures of mental ability and memory tests in control group. Conclusion: Selected cognitive development variables were improved after 12 weeks of yoga training in adolescent rural residential school children.

Keywords

• cognitive development
• schoolchildren
• yoga