AUTHOR(S): Wondifraw Mergiyaw, Sangeeta Rani and Molla Deyou

ABSTRACT:
Regular physical exercise is an important factor to improve health and well-being. The practice of combined physical exercise has little evidenced as the best intervention of modulating physiological and psychological variables. The main interest of the present study was to evaluate the effect of moderate intensity aerobic exercises combined with yoga on cardiorespiratory capacity and self-concept. The study design was experimental and simple survey without control group or placebo. For this study 35 young (age: 19-22 years) healthy sedentary female undergraduate subjects were selected using purposive sampling method. Out of the 35 subjects, only twenty eight subjects were able to complete the study. The training program was given to the Subjects with specified level of intensity for 8 weeks. The training exercises were such as walking, swimming, bhastrika, kapalbhati and bhramari. The cardiorespiratory capacity and self-concept assessment tests were taken before and after the training. VO₂max was assessed by Rockport fitness walking test at Haramaya University 400meter stadium track. The Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated using the weight and height of the subjects (BMI = W/H², where W is weight in kilograms and H² is height in meters squared). Heart rate was taken using 15 second count at the Carotid artery. The Self-concept was assessed by Revised Janis-Field self-concept inventory scale. The data was analyzed by SPSS- version 20 software package. The comparison of means was carried out by paired T-test. The level of significance was 0.05%. The result of the present study showed significant (P≤0.05) improvement in VO₂max (MD -3.64), BMI (MD 1.22), RHR (MD 4.86), social-confidence (MD -16.72), physical ability (MD -4.18) and global self-esteem (MD -2.97). The academic ability (MD -0.25) and physical appearance (MD -0.65) were not shown significant change. The present study concluded that the combined practice of moderate aerobic exercise with yoga provide the beneficial effect on improvement of cardiorespiratory capacity and general self-concept.

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