Effects of a Yoga Program Combined with a Mediterranean Diet on Nutritional Status and Functional Capacity in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether combining yoga with a Mediterranean diet could improve health outcomes in older adults.
Results Summary
The study found significant improvements in nutritional status, balance, gait, flexibility, and muscle strength in the experimental group compared to the control group. Effect sizes ranged from small to moderate, with the largest improvements seen in lower body strength and left arm flexibility.
Population
Community-dwelling older adults (n = 116, aged not specified).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
12 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
combined yoga and Mediterranean diet program | increase | nutritional status | community-dwelling older adults | Cohen's d = 0.02 | showed significant differences | #1 |
combined yoga and Mediterranean diet program | increase | balance | community-dwelling older adults | 11.12 ± 3.01 vs. 10.03 ± 2.35, Cohen's d = 0.41 | showed greater balance | #2 |
combined yoga and Mediterranean diet program | increase | gait | community-dwelling older adults | 7.63 ± 1.96 vs. 6.69 ± 2.50, Cohen's d = 0.44 | showed greater gait | #3 |
combined yoga and Mediterranean diet program | increase | flexibility in the right arm | community-dwelling older adults | Cohen's d = 0.43 | showed statistically significant improvements | #4 |
combined yoga and Mediterranean diet program | increase | flexibility in the left arm | community-dwelling older adults | Cohen's d = 0.64 | showed statistically significant improvements | #5 |
combined yoga and Mediterranean diet program | increase | flexibility in the right perineum | community-dwelling older adults | Cohen's d = 0.42 | showed statistically significant improvements | #6 |
combined yoga and Mediterranean diet program | increase | flexibility in the left leg | community-dwelling older adults | Cohen's d = 0.37 | showed statistically significant improvements | #7 |
combined yoga and Mediterranean diet program | increase | grip strength | community-dwelling older adults | Cohen's d = 0.39 | experienced statistically significant improvements | #8 |
combined yoga and Mediterranean diet program | increase | lower body strength | community-dwelling older adults | Cohen's d = 0.81 | experienced statistically significant improvements | #9 |
(1) Background: With the aging population, effective interventions are needed to enhance the health of older adults. This study investigated the combined effects of yoga and the Mediterranean diet on various health outcomes in community-dwelling older adults; (2) Methods: The study employed a randomized controlled trial design with a total of 116 older adults randomized to an experimental group (n = 57) that underwent a combined yoga and Mediterranean diet program and a control group (n = 59) that did not receive any intervention. Nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment, flexibility with the Back Scratch Test and the Chair Sit-and-Reach Test, balance, gait, and fall risk with the Tinetti Scale, and muscle strength with a dynamometer and the 30 s Chair Stand Test; (3) Results: Regarding nutritional status, there were significant differences between the experimental group and the control group (Cohen's d = 0.02). The participants in the experimental group showed greater balance (11.12 ± 3.01 vs. 10.03 ± 2.35, Cohen's d = 0.41 and gait (7.63 ± 1.96 vs. 6.69 ± 2.50, Cohen's d = 0.44) with respect to the control group. In terms of flexibility, the experimental group showed statistically significant improvements in the right arm (Cohen's d = 0.43), left arm (Cohen's d = 0.64), right perineum (Cohen's d = 0.42), and left leg (Cohen's d = 0.37) Finally, in terms of strength, participants in the experimental group experienced statistically significant improvements in grip strength and lower body strength (Cohen's d = 0.39 and 0.81, respectively); (4) Conclusions: The study highlights the potential benefits of a 12-week intervention combining yoga with a Mediterranean diet to improve the health and functional capacities of community-dwelling older adults.