Efficiency of different forms of yoga for improving flexibility in elderly adults

Uvod: V zadnjih nekaj desetletjih se je zaradi globalne širitve poučevanja joge razvilo veliko stilov joge, a pri vseh so se obdržale tradicionalne asane in poudarek na dihanju, koncentraciji ter sprostitvi. S staranjem povezana izguba gibčnosti ima velik vpliv na kvaliteto življenja, ker vpliva na izvajanje vsakodnevnih aktivnosti, povzroči upad funkcionalnih sposobnosti in začetek invalidnosti. Izboljšanje gibčnosti eden izmed najbolj očitnih in najhitreje doseženih učinkov joge. Namen: Namen diplomskega dela je bil na osnovi pregleda objavljene strokovne in znanstvene literature analizirati učinkovitost različnih oblik joge za ohranjanje in izboljšanje gibčnosti pri starejših odraslih. Metode dela: Uporabljena je bila opisna metoda dela s pregledom ter analizo strokovne in znanstvene literature. Literatura je bila iskana v angleškem jeziku v podatkovnih bazah CINAHL, PubMED, ScienceDirect in PEDro. Samostojno ali v kombinaciji so bile uporabljene naslednje ključne besede: yoga, flexibility, elderly, older, back scratch, sit and reach. Rezultati: Na podlagi kriterijev je bilo v pregled literature vključenih pet raziskav. Vse pregledane raziskave so preučevale učinke joge na gibalno sposobnost starejših odraslih ter so za meritve te gibalne sposobnosti uporabile tudi testa doseg sede na stolu in dotik dlani za hrbtom. Razprava in sklep: Rezultati raziskav kažejo, da sta se gibčnost ramenskega obroča in zgornjega uda statistično izboljšali v vseh raziskavah, gibčnost spodnjega dela hrbta in prožnost zadnjih stegenskih mišic pa v štirih raziskavah. Ti učinki se ohranijo še več mesecev po prenehanju izvajanja programa joga. Ponovitev raziskav na večjih in bolj raznolikih vzorcih bi lahko verjetno potrdilo pozitivne vplive vadbe joge na izboljšanje gibalnih sposobnosti starejših odraslih.Introduction: Global dispersal has allowed for many styles of yoga to develop over the past few decades, but all have maintained traditional asanas, as well as a focus on breathing, concentration and relaxation. Aging-associated loss of flexibility has a major impact on the quality of life, as it affects day-to-day activities, leads to a decline in functional abilities and the onset of disability. Improvements in flexibility are one of the most obvious and immediate effects of yoga. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis was to analyze the effectiveness of different forms of yoga for maintaining and improving flexibility of older adults, based on a review of published literature. Methodology:A descriptive method of work with an overview and analysis of professional and scientific literature was used. Literature was searched for in English in CINAHL, PubMED, ScienceDirect and PEDro databases. The following keywords were separately or in combinations: yoga, flexibility, elderly, older, back scratch, sit and reach. Results: Based on the criteria, five articles were included in the literature review. All examined studies inspected the effects of yoga on flexibility of older adults and used sit and reach, as well as back scratch test. Discussion and conclusion: The results of the studies suggest that flexibility of the shoulder joint and upper limb has statistically improved in all studies. The flexibility of the lower back and thigh muscles has statistically improved in four studies. These effects persisted for several months after the end of the yoga programme. A repetition of studies in larger and more diverse patterns could probably confirm the positive effects of yoga training on improving flexibility of older adults