Author(s): Dr. Vinu Bhaskar

Abstract:
Later adulthood or the period of old age begins at the age of sixty. During this stage most individuals lose their jobs because they retire from active service. They begin to fear about their physical and psychological health. In our society, the elderly are typically perceived as not so active, deteriorating intellectually, narrow-minded and attaching significance to religion. Many of the old people lose their spouses and suffer from emotional insecurity. However, this may not be true of everybody. Many people at the age of sixty or above remain very healthy and active in life. The life style including exercise, diet and regular health check up helps people to enjoy meaningful and active life. Health is a strong predicator of well-being in late adulthood. When people face illness or chronic disabilities, they feel a loss of personal control. Not only does helplessness increase, but social isolation increases too. Research in India on yogic practices and geriatric population were limited. Hence to have a better understanding of Suryanamaskar and its contribution towards to geriatric population, the scholar will make an attempt to determine the effect of twelve weeks of Suryanamaskar on Functional Mobility, Functional Reach and Trunk Flexibility of elderly men. The following test items were used to measure the selected variables under the study: Timed Up and Go (TUG) test was used to determine functional mobility. The time in one tenth of a second required to complete the task was recorded. Functional Reach (FR) test was administered to measure Functional Reach. The forward reach in to the nearest centimetre was recorded. Sit and Reach (SR) test was used to determine the trunk flexibility. The distance covered to the nearest centimetre was recorded. To determine the effect of twelve weeks of Suryanamaskar on Functional Reach, flexibility and functional mobility of elderly men, t-test was employed by using SPSS version 17. The level of significance was set at 0.05 level of confidence. After 12 weeks, Suryanamaskar group showed a significant improvement in all the selected variables under the study. It is concluded that Suryanamaskar elicited a positive improvement in the Functional Reach, flexibility and functional mobility of the elderly men.

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