Abstract

Introduction: Asana, the main component of yogic physical practice, is sure to promote motor skills and cognitive functions in normal and special needs children. Neural connectivity of vestibular organ with cognitive areas of the higher brain through the cerebellum and the locus coeruleus of the pons and induce neurotrophic factors, e.g., BDNF (brain-derived neurotrohphic factor) may transform balance motor skills to cognitive abilities with regular practice of asana. This open a scope of the role of Balancing Asana (BA) on cognition. So, the present study built on this premise of the mechanism of BA and cognition. Thus, a set of BA was introduced to children, and their balance and cognitive function were examined. Methods: Forty school children between 10 and 13 years were randomized as BA and control groups(n=20 each; mean age 11.4 ± 1.2 years). The children were assessed for cognition to the Stroop color-word task for children and balance the Bass stick test. After the pretest, the BA group practiced a set of BA 30 minutes daily, five days a week for six weeks,while the control group continued with their usual routine. Both groups were assessed at the end of six weeks. Results: Within-group and between-group results showed that the BA group significantly improved the Stroop color tasks (p<0.001) and Bass stick test balance (p<0.001) compared to a control group with larger effect sizes. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that BA impacts vestibular connectivity, which helps in inducing balance and improving balancing skills, thereby enhancing children's cognitive ability.

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