EFFECT OF A 24-WEEK YOGA INTERVENTION ON PERCEIVED STRESS AMONG COMPETITIVE SPRINTERS, MIDDLE-DISTANCE RUNNERS, AND JUMPERS
K. K. Swathy, R. Mahesh, Chenthamara Dhrisya, Binu George Varghese, Nair R. Harikumaran
European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science July 17, 2026 DOI: 10.46827/ejpe.v13i5.6865 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 120 |
| Population | Sprinters, middle-distance runners, and jumpers aged 18–25 years |
| Intervention | Yoga |
| Duration | 24-week intervention |
| Measures | Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Perceived stress scale Intervention counseling Stress linguistics Stress management Psychological stress Repeated measures design Statistical significance Clinical psychology Physical therapy Physical activity Psychological intervention Perceived control Stress measures Scale ratio Competitive athletes Martial arts |
| Key findings | Yoga significantly reduced perceived stress in the experimental group across all athletic categories, while the control group showed no meaningful changes. This indicates yoga may be an effective intervention for lowering perceived stress in athletes. |
Abstract
Yoga is a traditional mind–body practice that integrates physical postures, controlled breathing, and meditative techniques to enhance both physiological and psychological functioning. Athletes are frequently exposed to psychological stress due to intensive training demands, competitive pressure, and performance expectations, which may negatively influence performance outcomes. The present study examined the effect of a 24-week yoga intervention on perceived stress among sprinters, middle-distance runners, and jumpers aged 18–25 years. A total of 120 healthy participants were selected and equally assigned to experimental and control groups, with each category comprising male and female athletes. The experimental group participated in a structured yoga program for one hour per day, five days per week, for 24 weeks, whereas the control group continued their regular training routines without yoga. Perceived stress was assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Statistical analyses included paired samples t-tests, independent samples t-tests, and repeated measures ANOVA. The findings revealed significant reductions in perceived stress among participants in the experimental group across athletic categories, while no meaningful changes were observed in the control group. These results indicate that yoga may serve as an effective intervention for reducing perceived stress and supporting psychological well-being among athletes.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |