Healthy Lifestyle
Conditions
Keywords
Flexibility, Anxiety, Sleep Quality, Tai Chi, Yoga
Brief summary
Healthy women aged 18-45 years with BMI \<30 were randomized into two groups to receive either Tai Chi or yoga training. Both interventions were delivered for 8 weeks, 2 sessions per week, 45 minutes per session, at Bahçeşehir University. Flexibility, anxiety, and sleep quality were assessed before and after the intervention using standardized flexibility tests, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The outcome assessor was blinded to group assignment.
Detailed description
This study evaluates the effects of Tai Chi and yoga on flexibility, anxiety, and sleep quality in healthy women. Eligible participants (women aged 18-45 years, BMI \<30, without prior musculoskeletal surgery and without conditions that would contraindicate exercise) are randomized into a Tai Chi group or a yoga group. The outcome assessor is blinded to group assignment. Both groups participate in supervised exercise sessions conducted in the Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department laboratories at Bahçeşehir University. The Tai Chi group follows a Yang-style program consisting of 10 movements, delivered over 8 weeks, twice weekly, 45 minutes per session, including warm-up, Tai Chi practice, and cool-down. The yoga group completes an 8-week program delivered twice weekly for 45 minutes per session, consisting of asanas targeting flexibility, strengthening, and balance, followed by cool-down and meditation. Assessments are performed at baseline and after completion of the 8-week program. Flexibility is evaluated using standardized tests (sit-and-reach; trunk extensor flexibility; trunk lateral flexion; hip flexor flexibility; ankle dorsiflexion and plantar flexion). Anxiety is measured with the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and sleep quality is measured with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.
Interventions
OTHERTai Chi
Yang-style Tai Chi program consisting of 10 movements delivered for 8 weeks, twice weekly, 45 minutes per session (warm-up \~10 min; Tai Chi practice \~30 min; cool-down \~5 min).
OTHERYoga
Yoga program delivered for 8 weeks, twice weekly, 45 minutes per session, consisting of 30-35 minutes of asanas (flexibility, strengthening, balance) followed by cool-down and meditation (\~5 minutes).
Sponsors
Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Intervention model description
Participants were randomized to one of two parallel groups (Tai Chi or Yoga) and completed an 8-week exercise program; outcomes were assessed at baseline and post-intervention.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 45 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Female, 18-45 years of age * BMI \<30 kg/m² * No history of musculoskeletal surgery
Exclusion criteria
* Congenital or acquired condition affecting the musculoskeletal system * Any systemic disease or condition that makes exercise contraindicated, or pregnancy * Chronic neurological, metabolic, or cardiovascular disease
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Sleep Quality | Baseline and immediately post-intervention (8 weeks). | Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) total score assessing sleep quality over the past month; higher scores indicate poorer sleep quality (range 0-21). |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Anxiety | Baseline and immediately post-intervention (8 weeks). | Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) total score (0-63); higher scores indicate greater anxiety severity. |
| Flexibility | Baseline and immediately post-intervention (8 weeks). | Change from baseline in standardized flexibility tests (sit-and-reach; trunk extensor flexibility; trunk lateral flexion right/left; hip flexor flexibility; ankle dorsiflexion and plantar flexion ROM measured by goniometer). |
| BMI | Baseline and immediately post-intervention (8 weeks). | BMI: Body mass index (kg/m²). |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Contacts
CONTACTTuğçe Tahmaz
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORTuğçe Tahmaz, PhD
Bahçeşehir University
Outcome results
None listed