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Published on: June 24, 2025
Subjective Sleep Quality and hormonal modulation in long-term yoga practitioners
Francisca M Vera1, Juan M Manzaneque, Enrique F Maldonado
1Department of Psychobiology and Methodology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Malaga, Campus de Teatinos, Malaga, Spain. pvera@uma.es
Long-term yoga practice improves subjective sleep quality and influences the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Regular yoga practitioners showed better sleep scores and altered cortisol levels compared to controls.
Area of Science:
- Mind-body medicine
- Integrative health
- Psychoneuroendocrinology
Background:
- Yoga integrates physical postures (asana), breathwork (pranayama), and meditation.
- Classical traditions attribute numerous mental and physical benefits to yoga.
- The hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulates stress response and is influenced by various lifestyle factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of long-term yoga practice on Subjective Sleep Quality (SSQ).
- To examine the effects of sustained yoga engagement on key hormonal markers of the HPA axis.
- To explore potential psycho-biological differences between experienced yoga practitioners and a control group.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 26 subjects (16 yoga practitioners, 10 controls) participated.
- Participants with at least 3 years of regular yoga practice formed the experimental group.
- Subjective Sleep Quality (SSQ) was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).
- Blood samples were analyzed for adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, and dehydroepiandroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S).
- Statistical comparison utilized the Mann-Whitney U-test.
Main Results:
- The yoga group exhibited significantly lower Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores, indicating better subjective sleep quality.
- Individuals practicing yoga long-term demonstrated higher blood cortisol levels compared to the control group.
- Analysis revealed distinct psycho-biological profiles associated with sustained yoga practice.
Conclusions:
- Long-term yoga practice is linked to enhanced subjective sleep quality.
- Yoga engagement appears to modulate cortisol levels, suggesting an impact on the HPA axis.
- These findings highlight potential clinical benefits of yoga for sleep and stress regulation, warranting further investigation.
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