The effect of Bikram yoga on endothelial function in young and middle-aged and older adults

Stacy D. Hunter; Mandeep S. Dhindsa; Emily Cunningham; Takashi Tarumi; Mohammed Alkatan; Nantinee Nualnim; Ahmed Elmenshawy; Hirofumi Tanaka

doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2016.06.004

The effect of Bikram yoga on endothelial function in young and middle-aged and older adults

Stacy D. Hunter, Mandeep S. Dhindsa, Emily Cunningham, Takashi Tarumi, Mohammed Alkatan, Nantinee Nualnim, Ahmed Elmenshawy, Hirofumi Tanaka

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if Bikram yoga, a style of heated hatha yoga, would improve endothelial function in young and middle-aged and older, healthy adults. This trial was performed in 36 young (n = 17) and middle-aged and older adults (n = 19) who completed 3 weekly Bikram yoga classes for 8 weeks. Height, body weight and body composition were determined and endothelial function was measured noninvasively using brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) before and after the intervention. No changes in body weight, BMI or body fat percentage occurred as a result of the intervention in either group. Brachial artery FMD was significantly increased in middle-aged and older (P < 0.05) but not in young adults as a result of the intervention. The results demonstrate that a relatively short-term Bikram yoga practice might significantly improve vascular endothelial function in middle-aged and older adults. While apparently healthy individuals in this study experienced no adverse events, those with preexisting conditions should take caution and consult with a physician prior to engaging in this style of yoga.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	30-34
Number of pages	5
Journal	Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
Volume	21
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2016.06.004
State	Published - Jan 1 2017

Keywords

Aging
Endothelial function
Yoga

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Complementary and Manual Therapy
Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation
Complementary and alternative medicine

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10.1016/j.jbmt.2016.06.004

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title = "The effect of Bikram yoga on endothelial function in young and middle-aged and older adults",

abstract = "The purpose of this investigation was to determine if Bikram yoga, a style of heated hatha yoga, would improve endothelial function in young and middle-aged and older, healthy adults. This trial was performed in 36 young (n = 17) and middle-aged and older adults (n = 19) who completed 3 weekly Bikram yoga classes for 8 weeks. Height, body weight and body composition were determined and endothelial function was measured noninvasively using brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) before and after the intervention. No changes in body weight, BMI or body fat percentage occurred as a result of the intervention in either group. Brachial artery FMD was significantly increased in middle-aged and older (P < 0.05) but not in young adults as a result of the intervention. The results demonstrate that a relatively short-term Bikram yoga practice might significantly improve vascular endothelial function in middle-aged and older adults. While apparently healthy individuals in this study experienced no adverse events, those with preexisting conditions should take caution and consult with a physician prior to engaging in this style of yoga.",

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note = "Funding Information: We would like to thank Pure Action, Inc. for their partial grant support of this project. We would also like to thank Pure Bikram Yoga studios in Austin, TX for their provision of class rate discounts to our study participants. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2016 Elsevier Ltd",

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AU - Elmenshawy, Ahmed

AU - Tanaka, Hirofumi

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The effect of Bikram yoga on endothelial function in young and middle-aged and older adults

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Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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