The effects of aerobic and Yoga training modes on physical self-description components of female university students

According to behaviorists physical self-concept can be influence by interventional programs such as physical exercise or weight loss programs. More understanding of physical self-concept formation manner and its affectability ways by proper exercise programs, therefore, play an important role in achieving psychic health and desirable individual behavior. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of aerobic and Yoga training modes on physical self-description components of female students. Fifty seven sedentary female students with an age range of 19-25 years from Ferdowsi University who had not had any experience a­bout selected training modes voluntarily took part in the research. They were randomly and equally assigned to two experimental groups (aerobic and Yoga) and one control group. The experimental groups participated in two 60-minute sessions per week for ten weeks in certain related program. During this period, the control group did not engage in any organized exercise program. In order to collect data, physical self-descriptive questionnaire was used at the beginning and at the end of the program. One-Way ANOVA and Post Hoc Tukey test were used for statistical analysis. Physical self-concept and physical activity and strength componentsin Yoga group compared to control group were significantly higher (P<0.05) at the end of 10th week of exercise. In addition, coordination component in Yoga and aerobic groups was significantly higher than control group (P<0.05). The results reveal the relative preference of Yoga exercises for improving some components of physical self-description.