Effects of Temperature and Tempo: Evaluating How Much Time in a Typical Community-Based Yoga Class Is...

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Public Health Guidelines

Background:

• The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (PAG) recommend 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity weekly.
• Yoga is suggested as a potential method to meet these moderate-intensity guidelines for adults and older adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To objectively measure the proportion of yoga session time categorized as moderate-intensity aerobic activity using heart rate data.
• To subjectively assess participants' rate of perceived exertion (RPE) during yoga sessions.
• To evaluate the impact of yoga tempo and temperature on achieving moderate-intensity physical activity.

Main Methods:

• Participants completed baseline activity surveys.
• Four 1-hour yoga sessions (varying tempo and temperature) were conducted with heart rate monitors.
• Participants recorded their RPE during and after each session.

Main Results:

• All participants achieved moderate-intensity aerobic activity for at least part of their yoga sessions.
• On average, 32.75% of yoga class time was spent in moderate intensity, with no significant differences across conditions.
• Age was a significant factor in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity duration only in thermo-neutral Hatha classes (p = 0.010).
• Tempo, temperature, and baseline activity levels did not significantly affect time spent in moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity.

Conclusions:

• Hatha and Vinyasa yoga classes, in both room and hot temperatures, can contribute to meeting the moderate-intensity activity recommendations of the PAG.
• Yoga offers a viable option for individuals seeking to incorporate moderate-intensity aerobic exercise into their routine.