Surya Namaskar versus Conventional Physiotherapy for Hip Mobility in Athletes: A Narrative Review of Evidence, Mechanisms, and Clinical Implications
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/IRJAY.2026.90302Keywords:
Surya Namaskar, Hip Mobility, Athletes, Physiotherapy, Range of Motion, Yoga, Flexibility, Sun Salutation, Sports PerformanceAbstract
Background and Purpose: Hip mobility is a fundamental determinant of athletic performance and injury prevention. While conventional physiotherapy offers structured, evidence-based protocols for improving hip range of motion (ROM) in athletes, Surya Namaskar — a dynamic, systematically sequenced yoga practice — presents a potentially holistic and accessible alternative by engaging the hip joint across multiple planes of motion. Despite growing interest in yoga for sports performance, no direct comparative review has synthesized existing evidence on these two approaches in athletic populations. Objective: To critically review and narratively synthesize available evidence on the effects of Surya Namaskar and conventional physiotherapy on hip mobility in athletes, examine underlying biomechanical and physiological mechanisms, and identify areas requiring future research. Methods: A narrative review methodology was employed. Literature was searched across PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, AYUSH Research Portal, and IndMED databases using relevant search terms. Studies published between 2000 and 2024 in English, focusing on Surya Namaskar, yoga, hip mobility, range of motion, physiotherapy, and athletic populations, were screened and narratively synthesized. No formal meta analysis was conducted due to heterogeneity in study designs and outcome measures. Key Findings: Surya Namaskar encompasses postures that demand and develop hip flexion, extension, internal and external rotation, and abduction within a single, breath-synchronized sequence. Existing studies suggest that regular Surya Namaskar practice improves overall flexibility, joint ROM, and neuromuscular coordination. Conventional physiotherapy demonstrates robust evidence for improving hip ROM through targeted stretching, strengthening, and manual therapy. Both modalities share common mechanistic pathways including viscoelastic tissue adaptation, proprioceptive enhancement, and neuromuscular inhibition of the stretch reflex. Surya Namaskar may additionally confer benefits through psychophysiological mechanisms including parasympathetic activation and mindful body awareness. Conclusion: Surya Namaskar represents a promising, evidence-informed, and accessible intervention for hip mobility enhancement in athletes that warrants rigorous comparative clinical investigation against conventional physiotherapy. Future high-quality randomized controlled trials are recommended to establish definitive comparative evidence.
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References
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