The Effects of 12 Weeks Yoga Training on 4-5-Year-Old Preschoolers’ Fitness Components

Background. The effect of the long-term yoga program on young children has not been examined in Vietnam, especially the preschoolers who participated in Physical education (PE) courses. Objectives. The purpose of the study was to examine the effectiveness of a twelve-week yoga practice program on 4-5-year-old preschoolers’ balance, agility, flexibility, and core strength development. Then, an investigation of the randomly selected participants from the experimental group’s ideas of the yoga program was explored. Methods. Sixty-one children ranging from 4 to 5 years old were conveniently sampled and divided into two groups: an experimental group (17 males and 13 females) and a control group (17 males and 14 females) which received regular physical exercises provided in their PE course. The experimental group practiced twenty-six yogic asanas (postures) and a dynamic exercise (Sun Salutation) three times a week, with each lesson lasting 30 minutes. Results. The yoga training significantly improved balance (assessed by one leg balance standing test, F = 15.562, P = 0.000), flexibility (using shoulder flexibility, F = 65.952, P = 0.000 and sit and reach tests to measure, F = 48.937, P = 0.000), and muscular strength (sit-ups test was used, F = 47.918, P = 0.000 and standing long jump test, F = 113.792, P = 0.000) when comparing the yoga group (experimental group) with the control group. Nevertheless, the findings reveal that the agility of the two groups was not found to be significantly different (the 4x5m shuttle run test, F = 2.726, P = 0.104). Conclusion. The twelve-week yoga program could be employed as a form of practice that could help improve the physical fitness components of children in their early childhood.