Abstract

Yoga is known to reduce arterial stiffness; however, high-intensity resistance exercise is associated with increased arterial stiffness. Materials and methods: We determined the role of habitual exercise on the age-related decrease in central arterial compliance by using both cross-sectional and interventional approaches. First, we studied 151 healthy men aged 18 to 77 years: 54 were sedentary, 45 were recreationally active, and 53 were endurance exercise–trained. Central arterial compliance (simultaneous B-mode ultrasound and arterial applanation tonometry on the common carotid artery) was lower (P,0.05) in middle-aged and older men than in young men in all 3 groups. Result: In a frequency domain analysis of HRV, we found a significant decrease in LF component from 80.85 nu to 78.42 nu (p=0.015) and LF/HF ratio from 6.02 to 5.49. Conclusion: Twelve weeks of yoga or stretching video classes promoted positive changes in several outcomes generally regarded as cardiovascular risk factors in HPMWs, and these changes were even more pronounced by the association with respiratory technique

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