Yogic intervention for health related fitness of football players

Abstract: Yoga and breathing exercises (pranayama) are extremely beneficial for the health-related fitness of football players. Yoga increases flexibility, strength, balance, and mental concentration, and also reduces the incidence of injuries. A spiritual process that unites the body, mind and soul of a person, the word yoga is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘yuj’, which means to join. The early grammarian Maharishi Panini has given three meanings of the word yoga as union, restraint and Samadhi. Maharishi Vyasa has also given the same meaning of yoga as Samadhi. Samadhi means equanimity, an unwavering state of mind, and a level intellect means Samadhi. The present investigation was undertaken to study the Yogic intervention for health related fitness of football players. To conduct this study, a sample of 64 students under 16 football players was selected from Nagpur English medium school. Pretest and post-test design was used for the study.