A comparative study of lower limb muscle strength, flexibility, and balance in yoga practitioners and aerobic exercise participants in Sri Lanka

Increasing prevalence of noncommunicable diseases has heightened public interest in physical fitness. Among various exercise modalities, yoga and aerobic exercises are widely practiced due to their potential benefits. These components are essential for functional abilities and quality of life. This study aimed to compare selected physical fitness components among individuals practicing yoga and those engaging in aerobic exercise, generating evidence on differences in physical fitness associated with these exercise modalities. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 126 participants aged ≥ 20 years, including 63 yoga practitioners from Bhudeva Yoga and Fitness Lounge center and 63 aerobic exercisers from University of Colombo gymnasium. Participants had engaged in their respective exercise modalities for more than 2 months, with a minimum of 6 h per week during the preceding month. Lower limb muscle strength was assessed using wall sit test, flexibility using sit-and-reach test, and balance with single-leg stance test. Group differences were analyzed using mean comparisons. Among 126 participants, yoga practitioners demonstrated a noticeable lower limb strength (wall sit: 0.46 ± 0.41 s vs. 0.34 ± 0.23 s; p = 0.047) and a significant flexibility (sit-and-reach: 44.81 ± 10.88 cm vs. 30.97 ± 8.91 cm; p < 0.001) than aerobic exercisers. Conversely, aerobic participants showed superior balance (single-leg stance: 2.53 ± 1.53 s vs. 1.40 ± 0.46 s; p < 0.001). Lower limb strength was positively correlated with hours of doing yoga practice and aerobic exercises daily per day, while balance and flexibility strongly correlated in the aerobic group. ( p < 0.05). Both yoga and aerobic exercises offer distinct benefits for physical fitness. Yoga appears more effective for improving lower limb strength and flexibility, whereas aerobic exercises may be more beneficial for improving balance.