La Clinica Terapeutica · 2026
A Comparative Study of Yoga and Physical Exercise on Visual Reaction Time in Healthy Individuals: A Randomized Controlled Trial
By Smrithi R, Tejaswini KS, Abhishek K et al.
PURPOSE: Reaction time (RT) is a prime measure of how quickly the brain is able to process information and coordinates a physical response through neuromuscular pathways. It depicts both cognitive processing speed and motor execution efficiency. Enhancing reaction time is vital for academic, athletic, and daily activities, yet direct comparisons of yoga and physical exercise on visual reaction time in healthy young adults are limited. The present study was designed to evaluate and compare the influence of a structured 12-week yoga program with that of a standard physical exercise regimen on VRT. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted at with 66 healthy medical students (18-25 years), randomly assigned to yoga (n = 33) or physical exercise (n = 33) groups. Both interventions were supervised, five days a week for 12 weeks. VRT was measured at baseline and post-intervention using a simple reaction timer, and data were analysed with Lab Scribe software to compare within- and between-group changes. RESULTS: Both groups showed significant post-intervention reductions in mean VRT (p < 0.05). The reduction in VRT was significantly greater in the yoga group compared to the exercise group. CONCLUSIONS: Both interventions significantly improve VRT, indicating enhanced cognitive and neuromotor performance. Yoga may offer broader benefits in mental clarity and sustained attention, while physical exercise may facilitate quicker psychomotor gains. Integrating both approaches could maximize benefits for students, athletes, and the general population thereby contributing to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.