Impact of selected yogic practices and aerobic dance on health related physical fitness variables among women students

The purpose of the study was to find out the impact of selected yogic practices and Aerobic dance on health related physical fitness variables among college women students. To achieve the purpose of the study Seventy-five students were selected from Pachiyappas College for Women, Kanchipuram, Tamilnadu. The age of the subjects ranged from 18 to 22 years. The selected subjects were randomly divided into two experimental groups and one control group. Group I underwent Yogic practices in selected asanas and pranayama; Group II underwent Aerobic dance and Group III acted as Control Group for three alternate days in a week for a period of 12 weeks. The dependent variables selected for this study were Cardio vascular endurance, Muscular strength/endurance, Flexibility and Body composition. The dependent variables namely Cardio Vascular Endurance measured by Cooper's 12 min run/walk test, Flexibility measured by Sit and Reach Test, Muscular Strength/Endurance measured by Bent Knee Sit ups and Body Composition measured by Skin fold caliper. The data were collected from each subject before and after the training period and statistically analyzed by using dependent “t” test and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA)for statistical significance was set at 0.05 level of confidence. It was found that Aerobic dance group was found to be better in improving cardio vascular endurance and muscular strength/endurance when compared to the yogic practices group. Yogic practices group was found to be better in improving flexibility when compared to the aerobic training group. Both yogic practices and aerobic dance groups were developed the body composition equally.