The Effect of Bikram Yoga on Arterial Stiffness and Endothelial Function in Middle-Aged Adults

Summary

Arterial stiffening and endothelial dysfunction are correlates of advancing age contributing to the decline in cardioprotection with age. Arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction are emerging risk factors for cardiovascular disease and predict future cardiac events. Vascular function has long been a target for lifestyle interventions with several studies showing improvements traditional exercise modes. However, the impact of yoga on vascular function remains elusive. This study will determine the effect of a 12-week Bikram yoga intervention on arterial stiffness and endothelial function in healthy, middle-aged adults.

The overall aim of this study is to determine the efficacy of Bikram yoga in improving vascular endothelial function and arterial distensibility in middle-aged adults with risk factors for coronary artery disease and to determine whether the heated environment plays a role in mediating these alterations in vascular function. The investigators propose to conduct a 12-week Bikram yoga intervention study in sedentary individuals in order to test the following hypotheses:

1. Bikram yoga will elicit reductions in arterial stiffness and enhancements in endothelial function in sedentary, middle-aged adults.
2. The postulated effects of Bikram yoga will be greater when practiced in a heated environment.

Conditions

• Aging

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Hot yoga

Subjects in the two intervention groups will complete the standard 26-posture Bikram yoga series in a studio heated at 41ºC (traditional environment) or in a studio at a room temperature of 22ºC whereas control group subjects will be instructed to maintain physical activity patterns for the 12-week study duration. Yoga classes will be held at the Pure Bikram Yoga downtown Austin location. Classes will be completed 3 times weekly for 12 weeks and consist of 90 minutes of yoga postures and breathing exercises.

BEHAVIORAL

Non-heated yoga

Subjects in the two intervention groups will complete the standard 26-posture Bikram yoga series in a studio heated at 41ºC (traditional environment) or in a studio at a room temperature of 22ºC whereas control group subjects will be instructed to maintain physical activity patterns for the 12-week study duration. Yoga classes will be held at the Pure Bikram Yoga downtown Austin location. Classes will be completed 3 times weekly for 12 weeks and consist of 90 minutes of yoga postures and breathing exercises.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Texas at Austin

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Stacy Hunter, PhD · University of Texas

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

40 Years

Max Age

60 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2013-09-30

Primary Completion

2016-12-30

Completion

2016-12-30

Countries

• United States

Study Locations