EFFECT OF A 24-WEEK YOGA INTERVENTION ON PERCEIVED STRESS AMONG COMPETITIVE SPRINTERS, MIDDLE-DISTANCE RUNNERS, AND JUMPERS

Autors/ores

  • K. K. Swathy Assistant Professor, Mar Thoma College, Tiruvalla, Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India
  • R. Mahesh Assistant Professor, B K College for Women, Amalagiri, Kottayam, Kerala, India
  • Chenthamara Dhrisya Postdoctoral Fellow, Dr., Yangzhou University, China
  • Binu George Varghese Professor, Dr., Dean & Director, School of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India
  • Nair R. Harikumaran Professor, Dr., School of Biosciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejpe.v13i5.6865

Paraules clau:

yoga, perceived stress scale, athletes, sports psychology, mental health

Resum

Yoga is a traditional mind–body practice that integrates physical postures, controlled breathing, and meditative techniques to enhance both physiological and psychological functioning. Athletes are frequently exposed to psychological stress due to intensive training demands, competitive pressure, and performance expectations, which may negatively influence performance outcomes. The present study examined the effect of a 24-week yoga intervention on perceived stress among sprinters, middle-distance runners, and jumpers aged 18–25 years. A total of 120 healthy participants were selected and equally assigned to experimental and control groups, with each category comprising male and female athletes. The experimental group participated in a structured yoga program for one hour per day, five days per week, for 24 weeks, whereas the control group continued their regular training routines without yoga. Perceived stress was assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Statistical analyses included paired samples t-tests, independent samples t-tests, and repeated measures ANOVA. The findings revealed significant reductions in perceived stress among participants in the experimental group across athletic categories, while no meaningful changes were observed in the control group. These results indicate that yoga may serve as an effective intervention for reducing perceived stress and supporting psychological well-being among athletes.

Biografies de l'autor/a

  • K. K. Swathy, Assistant Professor, Mar Thoma College, Tiruvalla, Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India

    Swathy K. K. is a Physical Education professional and researcher currently working at Mar Thoma College. She is associated with research activities under the RUSA project at Mahatma Gandhi University, where she contributes to yoga-based interventions, laboratory assessments, and research paper preparation. Her research interests include exercise physiology, sports performance, yoga interventions, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), VO₂ max, anaerobic threshold, and sports psychology. She has actively engaged in academic research focusing on athlete performance enhancement and physical fitness assessment among different populations.

  • R. Mahesh, Assistant Professor, B K College for Women, Amalagiri, Kottayam, Kerala, India

    Mahesh R. is an academician and researcher in the field of Physical Education and Sports Science. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from St. Joseph Academy, Moolamattom and Master’s degree in Physical Education from School of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University. He has served as a Research Assistant for the RUSA 2.0 Major Research Project at Mahatma Gandhi University and is currently working as Assistant Professor at B. K. College, Amalagiri.

  • Chenthamara Dhrisya, Postdoctoral Fellow, Dr., Yangzhou University, China

    Dhrisya Chenthamara earned her PhD in Microbial Biotechnology from Bharathiar University, India, in 2022, under the guidance of Dr. Subramaniam Sadhasivam. Currently, she is working as a postdoctoral fellow at Yangzhou University, China. Her research focuses on using enzymes as biocatalysts to develop biomaterials for tissue engineering and to biotransform small molecules for environmental remediation.

  • Binu George Varghese, Professor, Dr., Dean & Director, School of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India

    Prof. Dr. Binu George Varghese is the Dean and Director of the School of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India. He is an accomplished academician, research supervisor, and sports science professional with extensive research experience and a strong record of publications in reputed journals. His major areas of academic and research interest include sports science, exercise physiology, physical fitness, athletic performance, kinesiology, and sports training. He also has vast experience in sports administration, policy development, and sports development, and has made significant contributions to university sports development, academic leadership, and the professional advancement of physical education and sports sciences. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6223-4652

  • Nair R. Harikumaran, Professor, Dr., School of Biosciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India

    Dr. Harikumaran Nair R. currently serves as Professor in the School of Biosciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala. His academic journey reflects a sustained commitment to biological sciences and physiological research. Dr. Nair’s research primarily focuses on cardiac functional biology, nutritional physiology, toxicological stress mechanisms and sports physiology. His laboratory investigates the physiological and molecular basis of cardiovascular functions caused by oxidative damage, chemical exposure, metabolic disturbances and exercise. His work integrates biochemical, cellular, molecular, and physiological approaches to understand cardiac health and disease. Dr. Nair’s research combines in-vitro experiments, in vivo studies, molecular docking, and physiological analyses.

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Descàrregues

Publicat

2026-07-17

Número

Vol. 13 Núm. 5 (2026)

Secció

Articles

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