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Annals of Behavioral Medicine
Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine 2/2014

01-04-2014 | Original Article

Yoga and Psychophysiological Determinants of Cardiovascular Health: Comparing Yoga Practitioners, Runners, and Sedentary Individuals

Authors: Jillian R. Satin, Ph.D., Wolfgang Linden, Ph.D., Roanne D. Millman, M.A.

Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine | Issue 2/2014

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Abstract

Background

The evidence of cardiovascular benefits of yoga is promising, but lacks demonstrations of specificity compared to other interventions.

Purpose

The present cross-sectional study examined cardiovascular health markers in long-term practitioners of yoga (yogis), runners, and sedentary individuals.

Methods

We compared physiological, psychological, and lifestyle variables associated with cardiovascular health across groups.

Results

Yogis (n = 47) and runners (n = 46) showed favorable profiles compared to sedentary individuals (n = 52) on heart rate, heart rate variability, depression, perceived stress, and cigarette smoking. Runners and male yogis showed superior aerobic fitness compared to the sedentary group. Runners reported greater social support compared to other groups. Yogis demonstrated a lower respiration rate compared to sedentary individuals and were more likely to refrain from eating meat compared to other groups.

Conclusions

Yogis and runners demonstrated several cardiovascular health advantages over sedentary individuals. Our findings raise the possibility that yoga may improve aerobic fitness in men but not women.
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Metadata
Title
Yoga and Psychophysiological Determinants of Cardiovascular Health: Comparing Yoga Practitioners, Runners, and Sedentary Individuals
Authors
Jillian R. Satin, Ph.D.
Wolfgang Linden, Ph.D.
Roanne D. Millman, M.A.
Publication date
01-04-2014
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Annals of Behavioral Medicine / Issue 2/2014
Print ISSN: 0883-6612
Electronic ISSN: 1532-4796
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-013-9542-2

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