The Effects of Various Kinds of Yoga Exercises on Grip Strength of Experienced and Inexperienced People

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of various kinds of short-term yoga exercises on grip strength, which is a good index of physical condition. This study was composed of two parts, referred to as Study I and Study II. The subjects were a male with four years of yoga experience and 21 males and females without any yoga experience in Study I, and two males and three females with 0.5-8 years experience in Study II. They performed several kinds of exercises separately or in combinations. Grip strength was measured just before and after each performance. The grip strength of inexperienced subjects did not show any change after the exercise. The grip strength of the experienced subjects showed significant changes, but the change depended on the subjects and the kinds of exercises. Combinations of the exercises did not change the grip strength any more than did the individual exercises.