The Impact of Yoga Practice on Self-Reported Health Outcomes Among Middle-Aged Adults

Background.While the health benefits of yoga are widely acknowledged, its impact on self-reported health among middle-aged adults in Vietnam, particularly in Ho Chi Minh City, remains understudied.Objectives.This research aims to assess the impact of regular yoga practice on self-reported health indicators among middle-aged adults in Ho Chi Minh City.Specifically, it aims to determine whether participating in a five-month yoga intervention can improve physical and mental health.Methods.This randomized controlled intervention study included 132 participants, aged 48 to 60 years, randomly allocated to a yoga group (YG, n=68) or a control group (CG, n=64).The YG engaged in twice-weekly 60-minute yoga sessions for 5 months, while the CG maintained regular routines without adopting new exercise programs.Pre-and post-intervention assessments of self-reported health were conducted using the SF-36 questionnaire, encompassing eight distinct domains: physical capabilities, restrictions in daily activities due to physical health issues, pain levels, overall perceptions of health, energy and vitality, social engagement, emotional challenges affecting daily roles, and psychological wellbeing.Analysis of variance was employed to compare changes between the groups.Results.After 5 months, the YG demonstrated statistically significant improvements (p<0.001) in all eight domains of the SF-36 compared to the CG.Specifically, the YG experienced significant improvements in physical functioning (F=53.916,P=0.000), physical role (F=51.412,P=0.000), reduced bodily pain (F=31.578,P=0.000), improved general health (F=59.870,P=0.000), enhanced vitality (F=54.631,P=0.000), increased social functioning (F=41.385,P=0.000), improved role emotional (F=65.320,P=0.000), and enhanced mental health (F=43.653,P=0.000).Conclusion.This study proves regular yoga can confer significant physical and mental health benefits to Ho Chi Minh City middle-aged adults.These findings highlight the potential of yoga as a feasible approach to improving health and well-being in a middle-aged population.