Impact of yoga on the cognitive function among desk‐based workers

Prolonged sitting negatively impacts cognitive functions, such as working memory and inhibitory control. As sedentary behaviour rises in workplaces, interventions like yoga breaks, which combine physical activity and mindfulness, may mitigate these effects. While specific research on yoga breaks is limited, related studies suggest potential cognitive benefits. This prospective, single-centre crossover trial took place from September 2022 to January 2023 at the Radiology Lab, KMC Manipal. Participants experienced three sessions: uninterrupted sitting, pranayama breaks, and yoga breaks, each lasting four hours. Executive functions were assessed hourly using computer-based tests (Eriksen’s Flanker Test and N-Back Test). Statistical analyses included repeated measures ANOVA and Friedman’s test. Participants, with a mean age of 30.24 years, showed fastest reaction times during the yoga intervention in the Flanker Test, followed by pranayama and sitting. However, accuracy did not significantly differ between groups in both tests.Reaction times decreased significantly from the 0th to the 2nd and 4th hours in the Flanker Test, but not between the 2nd and 4th hours. In the N-Back test, accuracy declined over time for all interventions, without significant group differences. Yoga and pranayama breaks potentially improve reaction times during prolonged sitting but do not significantly impact accuracy in cognitive tasks. These findings suggest that while activity breaks can enhance certain cognitive functions, further research is needed to optimize interventions for cognitive health in sedentary work environments.