A meta-analysis of influence of yoga activities on reaction time as a component of skill related fitness

Introduction: Yoga practices are known to have beneficial effect on cognitive functions. Reaction is a purposeful voluntary response to external stimuli. Reaction time is a component of skill related fitness. Humans gives response to different external environmental stimuli with different speed. Majority of daily work is done in response to visual and auditory stimuli. Yoga practices may improve reaction time. Objectives: To study influence of yoga practices on auditory reaction time and visual reaction time. Methods: Researchers used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta- Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analysis. Researchers searched articles on PubMed, Google scholar and by manual search. Searched articles were screened for relevancy. By use of inclusion and exclusion criteria potential articles were selected. Results: Out of 287articles, finally 5 studies included in current meta-analysis. Yoga activities has effect on visual reaction time (VRT): SMD = 3.06, 95% CI = –0.66–6.78, P < 0.01 and auditory reaction time (ART): SMD = 2.86, 95% CI = –0.37–6.09. Conclusion: Yogic activities can provide beneficial effect on reaction time. Improved reaction time is important for reactive activity like sports. Yoga can be useful as a part of training in skill related work. There is wide scope for further studies to evaluate beneficial effects of yoga activities.