Effect of Selected Yogasanas on the Motor Fitness of Elementary School Students

Abstract This investigation examined whether a structured programme of selected yogasanas could improve motor fitness among elementary school girls. Thirty students from Tamralipta Public School, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, aged 12 to 15 years, were selected randomly and assigned to an experimental group (n = 15) and a control group (n = 15). The intervention lasted six weeks. The experimental group practised yoga twice daily for 45 minutes per session, excluding Sundays and holidays, while the control group continued its usual routine. The programme included Surya Namaskar, Paschimottanasana, Matsyasana, Halasana, Ushtrasana, Sarvangasana, and pranayama practices such as Anuloma-Viloma, Bhastrika, and Ujjayi. Motor fitness was assessed through a bridge-up test for flexibility, a 6 x 10 m shuttle run for agility, and the Harvard step test for cardiorespiratory endurance. Statistical comparison of pre-test and post-test scores at the 0.05 level showed significant gains in agility and cardiovascular endurance for the experimental group, whereas the improvement in flexibility was small and not statistically significant. The control group did not show meaningful change in any variable. The study indicates that a short-term yoga programme can enhance selected components of motor fitness in school-aged girls, although a longer intervention may be required to improve flexibility substantially.