Stretching and Yoga Exercise Study

The Effects of an 8-Week Yoga Intervention on Cognition and Functional Fitness in Older Adults

The investigators propose to test the effects of an 8-week supervised, site-based, group yoga intervention on cognition and functional fitness in older adults. The SAY Exercise study will compare the yoga group to a stretching group to determine if the program improves attention and cognition, reduces functional limitations, enhances functional performance in everyday activities, as well as psychological health in sedentary older adults between 55-80 years of age. The investigators also propose to assess heart rate variability using a 3-lead EKG and salivary cortisol levels to understand the moderators of the yoga-cognition relationship.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 55-80 yrs of age
• Low active: zero to two days of physical activity (>30 minutes per day) per week, in previous six months
• Personal physicians consent to participate in testing and exercise intervention
• Not involved in any other physical activity/exercise research study or cognitive training study.
• Adequate responses to the Telephone interview of Cognitive Status (TICS-M) questionnaire
• Corrected (near and far) acuity of 20/40 or better in both eyes
• Initial depression score on GDS-15 below clinical levels (>5)
• Able to get up and down from the floor
• Comfortable with reading, writing and speaking English

Exclusion Criteria:

• Below 55 or over 80 years of age
• High physical activity levels (more than 2 times per week, >30 minutes, in the last 6 months)
• Regular yoga practitioners (previously or currently practicing for more than 6 months)
• Involved in other physical activity/exercise research study or cognitive training study
• Non-consent of the physician
• Inadequate response on the GDS-15 and TICS-M
• Uncorrected (near and far) acuity of greater than 20/40 in either eye
• Inability to communicate effectively in English
• Intent to be away from the area for a long period of time resulting in more than 2 absences at the exercise sessions