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Ground Reaction Forces Generated by Twenty-eight Hatha Yoga Postures
Sylvia J Wilcox1, Ron Hager1, Barbara Lockhart1
1Exercise Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA.
International Journal of Exercise Science
|May 17, 2016
Summary
Yoga practice generates low impact ground reaction forces (GRF), potentially beneficial for bone health. Further research is needed to confirm if these forces promote bone mineral density and prevent osteoporosis.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Exercise Physiology
- Bone Health Research
Background:
- Yoga is claimed to promote bone health and prevent osteoporosis.
- No studies have investigated yoga's effect on bone mineral density or measured practitioner reaction forces.
Purpose of the Study:
- To collect ground reaction force (GRF) data for common hatha yoga postures.
- To estimate the impact forces experienced by yoga practitioners.
Main Methods:
- Twelve female and eight male volunteers performed 28 hatha yoga postures.
- Ground reaction force (GRF) data were collected using an AMTI strain-gauge force platform.
- Peak and mean vertical and resultant GRF were analyzed.
Main Results:
- The 28-posture yoga sequence produced low impact GRF on upper and lower extremities.
- Peak and mean GRF values were similar across all subjects with small standard deviations.
Conclusions:
- The measured GRF in this yoga sequence are low.
- Further research is necessary to determine if these forces are sufficient to promote osteogenesis or maintain bone health.
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