Effect of Yoga and Pilates on Selected Psychological Variables among Obese Women

Abstract:

The purpose of the study was to find out the effect of Yoga and Pilates on selected Psychological variables such as Anxiety and Depression among Obese Women. It was hypothesized that there would be significant differences on selected Psychological variables among obese women due to Yoga (Group A) and Pilates (Group B) than the control group (Group C). The study was confined to obese women only. The subjects were selected from Chennai city only. The age of subjects were ranged between 40-50 years only. The independent variables were Yoga and Pilates only. The dependent variables chosen were psychological variables such as Anxiety and Depression only. Random group experimental design was used. Random sampling design was followed to select the subjects. 90 women came forward, 60 were found obese and finally 45 obese women were only selected randomly. Three groups, 15 each were formed from them: Yoga (Group A), Pilates (Group B) and Control group (no treatment but in active rest) (Group C). Treatment was given for 12 weeks, 6 days a week, One hour maximum daily in this random group experimental design for the experimental groups. Pre tests were conducted initially for all the groups on selected dependent variables. Post tests were also conducted for all the groups on selected dependent variables. Analysis of co-variance (ANCOVA) was used to assess the significant differences among the groups between the pretest and post test. The normality of the data collected was tested through Standard statistical procedures, F test (ANCOVA). The results proved that there were significant differences due to Yoga (Group A) and Pilates (Group-B) on selected psychological variables such as Anxiety and Depression (reduced). Thus, the hypothesis was accepted at 0.05 level of significance.

Author Name : V. Saraswathy & Dr.R. Elangovan

Keywords: Obesity, Yoga, Pilates, Anxiety and Depression.