Acute Effects of Vinyasa Yoga on Vascular Function

Acute Effects of Yoga on Arterial Stiffness, Wave Reflection, and Blood Markers in Normotensive and Hypertensive Adults

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the acute effects of vinyasa yoga on arterial stiffness, wave reflection, and blood markers in normo- and hyper-tensive adults. To address this aim, fifteen normotensive adults and 15 adults with elevated blood pressure or stage 1 hypertension with a minimum of 3 months of yoga practice experience were enrolled. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV), augmentation index (AIx), lipid profile, and glucose concentrations were assessed at baseline and immediately following a 1-hour vinyasa yoga session.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Having normal (systolic blood pressure <120 mm Hg with a diastolic <80 mm Hg) or elevated blood pressure (systolic blood pressure 120-129 mm Hg) or stage 1 hypertension (systolic blood pressure 130-139 mm Hg or a diastolic blood pressure 80-89 mm Hg).
• Must have had at least 3 months of prior yoga experience.

Exclusion Criteria:

• A history of cardiovascular disease or cardiac events, pregnancy, infection within the last 4 weeks, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), endocrine or renal disease, metabolic disorders, or debilitating muscular, joint and bone injury.