Onlıne Yoga Compared to Face-To-Face Yoga on Dıaphragm Thıckness, Body Balance and Psychosocıal Status

Does Onlıne Yoga Have Sımılar Effects Compared to Face-To-Face Yoga in Terms of Dıaphragm Thıckness, Body Balance and Psychosocıal Status?

The goal of this randomized controlled study was to compared six-week online yoga program with six-week face-to-face yoga program on diaphragm thickness, body balance and physio social status in young female individuals. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Does online yoga have similar effects compared to face-to-face yoga in terms of diaphragm thickness?
• Does online yoga have similar effects compared to face-to-face yoga in terms of body balance?
• Does online yoga have similar effects compared to face-to-face yoga in terms of psychosocial status such as level of anxiety and social media addiction? Participants completed the experimental steps of ultrasound scanning, balance testing and the scales questioning psychosocial status before and after 6-week online yoga program. After the pandemic conditions normalized, new participants were invited, and a 6-weeks face-to-face yoga program was applied and the same tests were applied before and after the program. As a control group, individuals whose physical activity levels were monitored and who did not participate in any exercise program were evaluated twice, six weeks apart. The researchers compared these three groups and examined whether there were differences between the groups in terms of the investigated parameters.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a major impact on physical activity behaviors worldwide due to the necessity of quarantine condition. Decreased physical activity due to isolation has the potential to worsen various health conditions, including various chronic diseases. Because of the positive effects of physical activity on the immune system during the COVID-19 epidemic, home-based tele-exercise programs have been considered a potential tool to maintain physical and mental health during the pandemic. During a period of inactive life, such as a pandemic, yoga exercises were among the home-based exercise programs for the general adult population. In addition to the effects of yoga on improvement of physical features such as respiratory capacity, muscle strength and balance, it is well known to have positive effects on supporting mental well-being and anxiety and stress levels.

Considering the literature, the effects of some physical exercise applications of home-based teleexercises, which started and as the continued during inactive life processes such pandemic period, were examined. However, no study has been found examining the effects of online yoga practice, especially on the basic respiratory muscle diaphragm structure and physical properties. Considering the physical and mental effects of yoga, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of yoga practice as teleexercise on psychosocial factors such as diaphragm muscle thickness, balance performance and anxiety, and social media addiction, compared to face-to-face practice, in a period where individuals have to spend a sedentary and inactive period due to the pandemic. It was thought that the results of the study will help to gain more detailed information about the effectiveness of teleexercise applications that continue to be implemented after the pandemic.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Individuals between the ages of 18-25 who were continuing their university education
• who had not practiced yoga regularly before
• who had not engaged in regular exercise for the last six months
• who had no psychosocial problems

Exclusion Criteria:

• Individuals who had undergone feet, knee, hip, or spine surgeries
• had musculoskeletal pain or neurological problems related to orthopaedic, cardiopulmonary, cardiovascular, or rheumatic diseases; pregnant
• had a body mass index over 30
• who did not participate in two or more yoga sessions