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The Effect of Yoga Training Intervention on Improving Physical and Motor Function in Breast Cancer Survivors
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Sirous Farsi   , Sirous Farsi , Nasibe Kazemi1 , Ali Shaker |
| 1- , nasibe.kazemi@yaho5o.com |
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Abstract: (26 Views) |
Background and Objective: Breast cancer, as the most common cancer in women, causes numerous motor and functional complications for survivors. This study aimed to investigate the effects of 8 weeks of yoga exercises on physical and motor performance indices in breast cancer survivors.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest design with a control group. The study population consisted of 33 female breast cancer survivors (22 in the experimental group, 11 in the control group) with a mean age of 59.21 ± 9.49 years, all of whom had completed systemic treatment at least 6 months prior. The exercise program included 24 sessions of 90-minute yoga (3 sessions per week) at moderate intensity (Borg scale 12–14). The assessed variables included BMI, WHR, BF%, muscle strength (hand and leg), muscular endurance, balance, flexibility, and VO₂max, measured using standardized tools. Data analysis was performed using paired t-tests and ANCOVA in SPSS version 28.
Results: The findings revealed that yoga exercises led to significant improvements in left-hand strength (*p* = 0.03), flexibility (*p* = 0.04), and balance duration (*p* = 0.08). Additionally, significant reductions were observed in BMI (*p* = 0.01), waist-to-hip ratio (*p* = 0.02), and body fat percentage (*p* = 0.001). However, no significant changes were found in right-hand strength, muscular endurance, leg strength, or VO₂max (*p* > 0.05).
Conclusion: The results suggest that yoga can serve as a complementary intervention to improve certain motor performance and body composition indices in breast cancer survivors. Due to study limitations, including sample size and intervention duration, future research with longer durations and larger samples is recommended. Combining yoga with other exercise modalities may further enhance physical function in these patients.
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| Keywords: Breast cancer, Yoga, Motor function, Physical performance |
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Type of Study: Applicable |
Subject:
Sport Physiology
Received: 2025/05/13 | Accepted: 2026/06/17 | Published: 2026/07/21
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