METHOD

Subjects

There were 91 adults (53 received yoga training, while 38 belonged to the control group). The control group had no experience of yoga, and were selected within the same age range as the yoga group to evaluate the effects of retest on motor speed. No other factors were considered. Matching of subjects individually was not possible, as there were different numbers of subjects in the two groups. The age range and group mean values ± SD of the two groups were as follows: experimental group (adults, yoga): 20-50 years, group average ± SD, 28.2 ± 7.6 years, control group (adults, non yoga): 20-50 years, group average ± SD, 29.9 ± 6.8 years. Assessments were also made in 152 children (group average age SD, 14.2 ± 1.3 years, 67 girls), who learned yoga. All the subjects were right hand dominant, based on standard questions (e.g. the hand used to write, comb, throw a ball).

Design of the study

Assessments on adult subjects were made at the beginning (initial) and end (final) of a 30 day period during which the yoga group (n=53) received training in yoga, while the control group (n=38) carried on with their routine activities. Assessments on the 152 children were carried out at the beginning (initial) and end (final) of 10 days of yoga.

Apparatus

The tapping board (Anand Agencies, Pune, India), consists of a wooden plank raised on one side by an angle of approximately 8o to the horizontal, providing an inclination on which the wrist could rest while tapping. Tapping would depress a metal bar, connected to a counter, so that each tap would increase the reading by '1'. The counter could be manually reset to zero.

Procedure

Subjects were asked to tap the metal bar as many times as possible during a period of 30 seconds. Assessments were made for both hands, the right was tested first followed by the left hand, with a gap of 10 seconds, in between. The number of taps was noted at the end of 10, 20 and 30 seconds, as the Tapping Speed, i.e., TSI, TS2 and TS3.

Training in Yoga

The yoga groups received yoga training for approximately 8 hours a day, which was aimed at all round (physical, mental, intellectual, and spiritual) development. The 10-day program for children and 30 day program for adults had certain similarities. These programs consisted of: (i) yogasanas, specialized physical postures which are meant to increase physical stamina and mental balance; (ii)) pranayama or voluntary regulation and slowing of the breathing which is carried out to achieve a relaxed state of mind and to increase inner awareness; (iii) kriyas, techniques which bring about cleansing of the eyes and internal organs (e.g., respiratory, tract, abdominal muscles, and some other viscera); and (iv) devotional sessions. In addition to these specialized practices, the training for children also included games to improve the attention span and memory as well as the telling of meaningful stories to foster a sense of values and feelings of responsibility.

Data analysis

The data were analysed in three ways: (a) The baseline changes in tapping speed from initial to final assessments were calculated comparing tapping speed in 0-10 seconds (TS1), 10-20 seconds (TS2) and 20- 30 seconds (TS3) on Day 1 and Day 30 (adults) and Day 1 and Day 10 (children) using Student's t-test. (b) To see the effect of time on tapping speed, the tapping speed between 20-30 seconds (TS3) and 0-10 seconds (TSI) of the same day were compared using Student's t-test. This was done separately for initial and final assessments. (c) The Motor Speed Asymmetry (MSA) was calculated, i.e. MSA = ([Right hand speed - Left hand speed]/[Right hand speed] ×100) (5). The MSA values at initial and final assessments were noted though they were not tested statistically for significant difference.