2025, Vol. 12, Issue 1, Part F

Methods: Thirty basketball players, both men and women aged 18 to 30, took part in the study. They were split evenly into two groups. One group followed their regular training, while the other added yoga sessions to their routine for eight weeks. These sessions included specific poses (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama), and meditation, all designed to sharpen focus and improve mental clarity. Before and after the program, both groups were tested using standard tools to measure attention and cognitive clarity, such as the Stroop Test and the Letter Cancellation Test. The results were analyzed using statistical methods to identify any meaningful changes.

Results: The group that practiced yoga showed noticeable improvements. Their average scores went up from 60.32 to 71.45, a statistically significant jump. In contrast, the group that didn’t practice yoga had only minor, non-significant gains. Coaches also noticed positive changes: The yoga group seemed more focused, made better decisions during games, and maintained their concentration more effectively under pressure. Discussion: These results add to existing evidence suggesting that yoga can boost brain function and mental balance. The mix of movement, controlled breathing, and mindfulness may help athletes stay calm, reduce mental distractions, and perform better during stressful game situations. In a fast-paced sport like basketball, that edge can make a real difference.

Conclusion: Adding yoga to a basketball player’s training can do more than improve flexibility it can also enhance focus and mental clarity. As a low-cost, culturally familiar practice with scientific backing, yoga offers a powerful tool for mental conditioning in high-performance sports.