![]() ĭespite this evidence of an acute effect there are currently limited data to suggest that hatha yoga training can induce chronic adaptation of HRV. By contrast, a single session of hatha yoga can acutely improve HRV in experienced practitioners and we recently reported a similar effect in non-experienced participants performing 15 min of yoga postures while seated at their desk. Notably, excess work-related stress in office workers has been shown to reduce HRV acutely. Low HRV indicates high sympathetic- and low parasympathetic (vagal) autonomic activity, and is an established predictor of cardiac events and mortality. Heart rate variability (HRV) is the instantaneous variation in heart rhythm due to autonomic influences on the sinoatrial node. Hence, many of the benefits of hatha yoga training are particularly relevant to sedentary office workers. depression, anxiety), and health-related quality of life (QoL). Participation in hatha yoga has increased markedly in the West in recent decades and empirical investigations have shown that several weeks to months of training can improve markers of physical fitness, musculoskeletal pain, psychological stress (i.e. Hatha yoga is an ancient physical practice that emphasizes the performance of exercises ( vinyasa) and postures ( asanas). Chronic work-related stress is therefore particularly concerning in individuals employed in low physical activity occupations, such as in office workers. However, the absence of physical exertion elicits acute hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia which, over time, can contribute to the genesis of more advanced chronic diseases, including coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes. “fight or flight”) when a threat is perceived. Ĭortisol, the main effector of SNS and HPA axis activation, functions to physiologically prepare the body for physical exertion (i.e. This link between stress and disease is influenced by autonomic imbalance implicating an overactive or dysregulated sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Trial registrationĮpidemiological investigations have consistently shown that chronic work-related stress can increase the risk of cardiometabolic diseases by as much as 50%. Future investigations should incorporate strategies to promote adherence, involve more frequent and longer durations of yoga training, and enrol cohorts who suffer from higher levels of work-related stress. However, improvements in flexibility, state anxiety and musculoskeletal fitness were noted with high adherence. ConclusionsĪ 10-week hatha yoga intervention delivered at the office worksite during lunch hour did not improve HF power or other HRV parameters. Post hoc analysis comparing participants who completed ≥70% of yoga sessions (n = 11) to control (n = 19) yielded the same findings, except that the high adherers also reduced state anxiety (p = 0.02) and RMSSD (p = 0.05), and tended to improve the push-up test (p = 0.07) versus control. Flexibility, evaluated via sit & reach test increased in the experimental group versus the control group (p < 0.001). ResultsĪll measures of HRV failed to change in the experimental group versus the control group, except that the experimental group significantly increased LF:HF (p = 0.04) and reduced pNN50 (p = 0.04) versus control, contrary to our hypotheses. state and trait anxiety, quality of life and job satisfaction). push-up, side-bridge, and sit & reach tests) and psychological indices (i.e. Secondary outcomes included additional HRV parameters, musculoskeletal fitness (i.e. The primary outcome was the high frequency (HF) power component of HRV. An experienced instructor led the sessions, which emphasized asanas (postures) and vinyasa (exercises). The experimental group completed a 10-week yoga program prescribed three sessions per week during lunch hour (50 min per session). Thirty-seven adults employed in university-based office positions were randomized upon the completion of baseline testing to an experimental or control group. The purpose of this study was to determine if an office worksite-based hatha yoga program could improve physiological stress, evaluated via heart rate variability (HRV), and associated health-related outcomes in a cohort of office workers. Chronic work-related stress is an independent risk factor for cardiometabolic diseases and associated mortality, particularly when compounded by a sedentary work environment. ![]()
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