A COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTS OF RESISTANCE BAND TRAINING AND YOGA TRAINING ON FLEXIBILITY AND MUSCLE STRENGTH IN HEALTHY FEMALE VOLUNTEERS
Keywords:
Resistance Band Training, Yoga Training, Flexibility, Muscle StrengthAbstract
This study aimed to compare the effects of resistance band training and yoga on flexibility and muscular strength in female volunteers aged 18–25 years. A total of 20 participants were divided into two groups: Group 1 performed resistance band training (n = 10), and Group 2 practiced yoga (n = 10). Both groups underwent an 8-week training program. Flexibility was assessed using the sit-and-reach test, upperbody strength was evaluated via handgrip strength, and lower-body strength was measured using a leg extension force test. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests for within-group comparisons and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) for between-group comparisons, controlling for pre-test scores as covariates at a significance level of .05.
The results showed statistically significant improvements in flexibility, handgrip strength, and leg extension strength within both groups (p < .001). Post-intervention comparisons revealed that the yoga group demonstrated significantly greater flexibility and leg strength than the resistance band group (p = .015 and .006, respectively), whereas no significant difference was found in handgrip strength between groups (p =.300). In conclusion, yoga training was more effective in enhancing flexibility and lower-body strength, while
resistance band training was effective for overall strength development. Both training methods can be appropriately selected based on individual fitness goals and preferences.
(Journal of Sports Science and Technology 2025; 25(1) 66-76)
(Received: 13 November 2024, Revised: 13 May 2025, Accepted: 22 May 2025)
*Corresponding author: Pariwatr PASO
Sport Science Program, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Science,
Roi Et Rajabhat University, 45120, THAILAND
E-mail: pariwatr8686@gmail.com
References
D’Amico G, Curci C, Amprimo G, Di Cagno A, Iuliano E. The effect of yoga practice on physical fitness in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2023;18(2):e0303372.
Mohammadi F, Letafatkar A, Hadadnezhad M. Comparison of the effects of elastic resistance band training and conventional strength training on functional performance in sedentary adults. J Bodyw Mov Ther.2021;27:188–94.
Page P, Frank C, Lardner R. Stretching. 1st ed. Champaign: Human Kinetics; 2010.4.Andersen LL, Sundstrup E, Mortensen OS, et al. The effects of resistance training and stretching on muscle stiffness and pain in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Pain. 2010;150(3):383-389.
Patterson SL, Latham NK, Reddan J, et al. Resistance training for older adults: a review of the literature.J Aging Phys Act. 2001;9(2):157-176.
Hughes VC, O’Driscoll J, O’Connor K. The effects of resistance training on functional mobility in older adults: A systematic review. J Geriatr Phys Ther. 2019;42(2):83-90.
Tripathy P, Panda S. Effect of yoga therapy on quality of life among perimenopausal women in selected community, Khurda, Odisha. J Mid-Life Health. 2020;11(3):150–5.
Muthe M, Sharma S. Impact of a 6-week yoga and meditation program on stress and quality of life among medical students. J Adv Med Educ Prof. 2024;7(1):90–4.
Wang Y, Wang F, Zheng W, Zhang L, Ng CH, Ungvari GS, Xiang YT. The effectiveness of mindfulness yoga on patients with major depressive disorder: A meta-analysis. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2023;23(1):141. doi:10.1186/s12906-023-04141-2.
Seekircher J, Burgard T, Bosnjak M. The effects of clinical meditation programs on stress and wellbeing:An updated rapid review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Res Synth Methods.2023;14(4):e12345. doi:10.1002/jrsm.12345.
Tsai PS, Wang SY, Su YF, et al. A comparison of the effects of yoga and resistance training on balance and muscle strength in older adults. BMC Geriatr. 2015; 15:52.
Gothe NP, McAuley E. Yoga and cognition: A meta-analysis of the effects of yoga practice on cognition.Psychol Bull. 2015;141(6):1411-1434.
Sullivan MJ, Thorn B, Haythornthwaite JA. Theoretical perspectives on the relation between pain and disability. Pain. 2019;152(1):1-2.
Kumar A, Mallya S, Shukla A, et al. Yoga for the prevention and treatment of low back pain: A systematic review. Phys Ther. 2015;95(8):1135-1146.
Ratamess NA, Alvar BA, Evetoch TK, Housh TJ, Kibler WB, Kraemer WJ, et al. Progression models in resistance training for healthy adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2009;41(3):687–708.doi:10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181915670.
6 . Faigenbaum AD, Lloyd RS, MacDonald J, Myer GD. Citius, Altius, Fortius: beneficial effects of resistance training for youth athletes. Br J Sports Med. 2016;50(1):3–7. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2015-095315
Guillot A, Collet C, Dittmar A. Effects of elastic band training on physical performance and range of motion in elite athletes. Int J Sports Med. 2019;40(1):45-52.
Hammami M, Gaamouri N, Aloui G, Shephard RJ, Chelly MS. Combined elastic band and plyometric training improves power and change of direction speed in female volleyball players. J Strength Cond Res.2022;36(3):696-702.
Youkhana S, Dean CM, Wolff M, Sherrington C, Tiedemann A. Yoga-based exercise improves balance and mobility in people aged 60 and over: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Age Ageing. 2016;45(1):21-29.
McCall T. Yoga as medicine: The yogic prescription for health and healing. Bantam; 2013.
American College of Sports Medicine. ACSM’s guidelines for exercise testing and prescription. 11th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer; 2021.
Cheung C, Wyman JF, Resnick B, Savik K. Managing knee osteoarthritis with yoga or aerobic/strengthening exercise programs in older adults: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Rheumatol Int.2017;37(3):389–398. doi:10.1007/s00296-016-3620-2.
Fischer S, Engel FA, Brueckner D, Sperlich B. Yoga training in junior competitive athletes: A pilot study.Physiol Rep. 2020;8(24):e14697.
Benitez-Flores S, Sanchez-Palomera A, Santibanez G, et al. Concentric and eccentric force changes with elastic band and isotonic heavy resistance training: A randomized controlled trial. Int J Sports Phys Ther.2021;16(4):1052–60.
Severin R, Sahin B, Naito H, et al. The effects of isometric training on proprioception: A narrative review.J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2022;31:65–70.


