| Background. Type 2 diabetes mellitus affects millions of individuals, representing a vast burden of disease for the national health care system. Yoga practice has demonstrated potential for diabetes control and prevention, yet few yoga-based studies explore factors affecting maintenance of yoga practice over time.;Purpose. The purpose of this study was to explore factors influencing the maintenance of yoga practice over time, to clarify the relationship between the social environment and yoga practice, and to examine the influence of a yoga intervention over time on the physical activity of adults with or at risk for type 2 diabetes.;Methods. A descriptive, longitudinal design measured yoga practice and physical activity (baseline and 3, 6, and 15 months post-intervention), social support (baseline and 15 months post-intervention), and social discrimination (15 months post-intervention). A subset of participants completed interviews regarding experiences with yoga.;Sample. A convenience sample of 63 individuals participated in an 8-week yoga-based study and completed follow-up assessments. A subset of the sample (n = 13) completed a follow-up interview.;Results. Themes of readiness for yoga, environmental support for yoga, and integrating yoga emerged through qualitative analysis of interview data. There were no statistically significant between-group differences [F (3, 147) = 0.598, p = .617] in physical activity over time, with a low effect size for treatment group by time (etap 2 = 0.012). After controlling for baseline social support, there was no statistically significant difference in social support based on reported yoga practice at 15 months post-intervention [F(1, 51) = 0.023, p = .879]. After controlling for age, there was no statistically significant difference in social discrimination based on reported yoga practice at 15 months post-intervention [F(1, 58) = 0.657, p = .421]. The effect size of yoga practice was low in both analyses (etap 2 < .001 and etap2 = 0.011, respectively).;Conclusions. As reported by interviewed participants, yoga practice affords multiple short-term benefits for individuals with or at risk for type 2 diabetes. Further research is necessary to identify social environmental factors that support maintenance of yoga practice and to clarify the long-term benefits of personal yoga practice. |
