Health And Fitness: Comparative Study Of Yoga And Aerobic Exercise On Stress Reduction And Mental Well-Being

Abstract

This comparative study investigates the differential effects of yoga and aerobic exercise on stress reduction and mental well-being among young adults aged 20-35 years. The research employed a quasi-experimental design with 180 participants randomly assigned to three groups: yoga intervention, aerobic exercise, and control. Both interventions were conducted for 12 weeks with three 60-minute sessions per week. Standardized instruments including DASS-21, STAI, and cortisol biomarkers were utilized for assessment. Results demonstrated that yoga produced significantly greater reductions in stress levels (p<0.001), anxiety scores (p<0.001), and salivary cortisol levels (p<0.002) compared to aerobic exercise. Yoga participants exhibited a 28.4% reduction in stress scores versus 18.7% in aerobic exercise group. Both interventions improved mental well-being compared to control, with yoga showing superior outcomes in parasympathetic nervous system activation and GABA level increases. The findings suggest yoga's comprehensive mind-body approach provides enhanced stress reduction benefits through hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis regulation and autonomic nervous system modulation, making it a more effective intervention for stress management and mental health enhancement in urban Indian populations facing chronic stress.