Comparative Effects of Yogic Asanas and Aerobic Training on Selected Physical Fitness and Psychological Variables in Adolescent Boys

The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of yogic asanas and aerobic exercises on selected physical and psychological variables of adolescent boys. To conduct the study, 75 boys, participating in Physical Education activities in their respective schools, were selected from different schools in Malda District of West Bengal as subjects. The age of the subjects was between 16 to 18 years. Among the 100 students, 25 were selected for the control group (CG), 25 were selected for the Yoga group (YG) and the remaining 25 were selected for the Aerobic Exercise Group (AEG). Subjects of YG were treated for 12 weeks and with a frequency of three days (alternative days) per week of Yogic exercises, more or less 1.30 hours per day and subjects of AEG were treated for 12 weeks and with the same frequency of three days (alternative days) per week of Aerobic exercises, respectively, more or less 1.30 hours per day. No treatment was given to the subjects of CG. To determine the boys Physical fitness status, the pre-test and post-test data of CG, YG and AEG were taken for speed, explosive leg power, abdominal strength and endurance. The POMS scale and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale were used, respectively, to assess the psychological impact of the treatment on mood state and self-esteem. To find the significant difference between pre-test and post-test data on selected Physical Fitness and psychological variables, ANCOVA and a t-test were conducted at a 0.05 level of confidence, which was considered appropriate and adequate for this study. The interventions produced significantly different fitness improvements across groups, with the strongest effects in speed (50m dash) and power (SBJ), moderate effects in muscular endurance (SU), and suggestive effects in aerobic capacity (600m). These findings support differential intervention efficacy, particularly for anaerobic performance measures. Strong baseline prediction validates ANCOVA for both POMS and RSES measures. Interventions yield comparable mood benefits but diverge significantly in self-esteem enhancement (favouring CG per prior post-hoc).