PURPOSE
This study examined the effects of a yoga exercise program on stress response, physical fitness and self-esteem among middle-aged women.
METHODS
Participants were 39 middle-aged females from District Y in Seoul who were assigned to either a treatment (N=19) or to a control group (N=20). The treatment participated three times a week in a yoga exercise program which included classes and practices. Data collection instruments included the Symptoms of Stress Inventory (1977), the Rosenberg's self-esteem scale (1965) and measurements of grip strength, flexibility and balance. The data were analyzed using the SPSS-WIN 12.0 program.
RESULTS
The treatment group had significantly lower score for stress response (t=-6.18, p<.001) and higher scores on grip strength (t=2.52, p=.018), balance (t=3.24, p=.003), and self-esteem (t=4.46, p<.001). There was no significant difference in flexibility (F=0.51, p=.479).
CONCLUSION
The yoga exercise program can be used as a nursing intervention for middle-aged women to reduce stress and improve self-esteem.

Citations

• Yoga fitness with middle-aged women: benefits for physical and mental health
  A. Yefremenko, O. Nasonkina, Ya. Aleksenko, M. Marchenkov, H. Poltoratska, T. Fedorina
  Scientific Journal of National Pedagogical Dragomanov University Series 15 Scientific and pedagogical problems of physical culture (physical culture and sports).2024; (10(183)): 109.     CrossRef
• Navigating Societal Stressors Through Yoga in Korea
  Jasmyn Kim, Sua Im, Rokbit Sanghee Lee, Jinmoo Heo
  Leisure Sciences.2024; : 1.     CrossRef
• 중년여성 요가참여자의 객체화된 신체의식과 요가만족 간의 구조적 관계 연구*
  예진 이, 용수 이
  The Korean Journal of Physical Education.2023; 62(5): 265.     CrossRef
• Effects of Forest Therapy on Psychological Improvement in Middle-aged Women in Korea
  Bum-Jin Park, Won-Sop Shin, Chang-Seob Shin, Poung-Sik Yeon, Chung-Yeub Chung, Si-Hyung Lee, Dong-Jun Kim, Youn-Hee Kim, Chang-Eun Park
  Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health.2022; 55(5): 492.     CrossRef
• Influence of Comprehensive Lifestyle Intervention (LSI) Program on Health, Fatigue, and Quality of Life in Middle-Aged Women
  Su-Jin Jung, Seung-Ok Lee, Min-Jun Choi, Jun Heo, Soo-Wan Chae, Baik-Hwan Cho
  Journal of Lifestyle Medicine.2022; 12(3): 127.     CrossRef
• Effects of Forest Therapy on Health Promotion among Middle-Aged Women: Focusing on Physiological Indicators
  Bum-Jin Park, Chang-Seob Shin, Won-Sop Shin, Chung-Yeub Chung, Si-Hyung Lee, Dong-Jun Kim, Youn-Hee Kim, Chang-Eun Park
  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2020; 17(12): 4348.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
This study was object to the effects of a resistance exercise combined with relaxation therapy on blood pressure, frequency of exercise and physical fitness in elderly women.
METHODS
Seventy three elderly women participated in an exercise program for 12 months. The exercise program consisted of stretching, massage and resistance training using thera-bands twice a week and 50 minutes in every sessions each week. Repeated measures ANOVA were performed using SAS.
RESULTS
After the exercise program there was a significant difference in systolic blood pressure, frequency of exercise, body fat, sitting to standing, walking 2 minutes, sitting on a chair and reaching, and standing on one leg with eyes opened. After 6 months, there was a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure and significant increase in frequency of exercise, body fat, sitting to standing and standing on one leg with eyes opened. In 12 months, there was a significant increase in body fat, 2 minutes walking, and sitting in a chair and reaching.
CONCLUSION
Resistance exercise combined with muscle relaxation therapy would have a positive effect on elderly women. We found that it was helpful for the elderly women in terms of physical fitness.