The present study investigates the impact of Surya Namaskar and yogic breathing exercises on muscular endurance and flexibility among male adolescent school students in Imphal East District of Manipur, India. As physical inactivity and poor postural habits continue to rise among adolescents, the integration of holistic practices such as yoga into the school curriculum presents a promising approach to enhance physical fitness. This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 40 male students aged 11–18 years, who were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 20) and a control group (n = 20). The experimental group underwent an 8-week (2 months) intervention program that included daily sessions of Surya Namaskar and selected yogic breathing techniques (Pranayama) for 45 minutes, five days a week, while the control group continued with their routine physical education activities.
Pre- and post-intervention assessments were conducted to measure muscular endurance through the one-minute sit-up test and flexibility through the sit-and-reach test. Statistical analysis using paired and independent sample t-tests revealed significant improvements in both muscular endurance and flexibility in the experimental group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). These results suggest that the combined practice of Surya Namaskar and yogic breathing exercises is effective in improving core muscular strength, endurance, and flexibility among adolescent boys.
The findings support the integration of structured yoga modules into school physical education programs as a non-competitive, low-cost, and accessible means to promote overall physical fitness and mental well-being in students. The study also highlights the potential of yoga as a preventive measure against lifestyle-related health issues during adolescence. Future research may explore the long-term benefits of yoga-based interventions and their influence on other health parameters such as cardiovascular fitness, stress levels, and academic performance.