title: A comparison of the effects of hatha yoga and resistance exercise on mental health and well-being in sedentary adults: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Physical activity has a positive effect on people's mental health and well-being. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of hatha yoga and resistance exercises on mental health and well-being in sedentary adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-one participants aged mean (SD) 25.6 (5.7) years were randomly divided into three groups: Hatha Yoga Group, Resistance Exercise Group and Control Group. The Hatha Yoga Group and Resistance Exercise Group participated in sessions three days per week for 7 weeks and the Control Group did not participate in any sessions. All the subjects were evaluated through the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Body Cathexis Scale, Nottingham Health Profile and Visual Analog Scale for fatigue pre-and post-session.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant improvements were found in terms of all outcome measures in the Hatha Yoga Group and the resistance exercise group. No improvements were found in the Control Group. Hatha yoga more improved the dimensions fatigue, self-esteem, and quality of life, whilst resistance exercise training more improved body image. Hatha yoga and resistance exercise decreased depression symptoms at a similar level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicated that hatha yoga and resistance exercise had positive effects on mental health and well-being in sedentary adults. Hatha yoga and resistance exercise may affect different aspects of mental health and well-being.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, School of Health Science, Dumlupinar University, 43100 Kutahya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Betul
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Taspinar
authors.affiliation: School of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Pamukkale University, 20100 Denizli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ummuhan Bas
authors.initials: UB
authors.lastname: Aslan
authors.affiliation: School of Sport Science and Tecnology, Pamukkale University, 20100 Denizli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Bulent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Agbuga
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, School of Health Science, Dumlupinar University, 43100 Kutahya, Turkey. Electronic address: fztferruh@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Ferruh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Taspinar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005221:Fatigue / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D055070:Resistance Training; D012649:Self Concept; D014421:Turkey; D015013:Yoga; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Body images; Depression; Exercise program; Life quality; Self esteem; Yoga