The Effect of Power Yoga Exercises on Cortisol Hormone Concentration and Muscular Endurance among Female Fitness Center Participants Aged 25–35 Years

Abstract

Abstract: The research problem lies in the continuous daily stressors women aged 25–35 face, leading to physical and physiological imbalances manifested in elevated stress hormone levels. Furthermore, this elevation directly exerts a negative impact on muscle tissues, resulting in rapid fatigue and decreased efficiency of force endurance across various body parts. Thus, the study aimed to design Power Yoga exercises, evaluate their effect on cortisol concentration and muscular endurance, and determine the superior group in the posttests. The researcher utilized the experimental approach with a two-group (experimental and control) pretest-posttest design. The sample comprised (23) women purposefully selected from fitness center participants. The proposed training program for the experimental group lasted (8) weeks, encompassing (24) sessions at a low-to-moderate intensity (50%–70%), while the control group continued conventional training. Cortisol was laboratory-analyzed via blood serum using an ELISA reader, whereas muscular endurance was assessed using the push-up test, the half-squat jump test, and the sit-up test. The main results revealed statistically significant differences between the pre-and-posttests for the experimental group, and in favor of the experimental group in the posttest comparison between both groups. The study concluded that Power Yoga exercises exert a dual positive effect by reducing cortisol levels and enhancing muscular endurance efficiency. The researcher recommends adopting and generalizing this dynamic flow style within women's fitness centers.