| This randomized study examined the effect of Hatha yoga on parameters of cardiac fitness in African American college students compared with a control group. Yoga has been a successful complementary and alternative medicine intervention in the treatment of health disorders such as, anxiety, arthritis, asthma, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, depression, diabetes, and heart disease. A sample of 28 African-American college students was recruited to participate in a 2-month Hatha yoga intervention. A time-series case-control randomized study design with a pre- and post-test was used. Baseline heart rates, blood pressure, heart rate variability (HRV) variables, and oxygen consumption (VO2 max) were measured. All participants completed a 1-mile run pre-test to measure VO2 max. Ambulatory Holter monitor was used to measure HRV variables. Participants completed a questionnaire describing their exercise training history. Half of the participants completed a 2-month training period of Hatha yoga . Both groups were measured again during week 4 and at the completion of the training period (week 8). The effect of Hatha yoga on parameters of cardiac fitness in African American college students was examined statistically using Student's t-distribution, Fisher's F-distribution, and linear regression. The 2-month Hatha yoga intervention was significantly correlated with a decrease in mile run time and heart rate variability; an increase in oxygen consumption and diastolic blood pressure. Therefore, for this population of African American college students, it can be concluded that a 2-month yoga intervention improved diastolic blood pressure, oxygen consumption, mile run time, and components of heart rate variability. As research, such as this study, document the benefits and changes associated with the practice of yoga, it should be made available to all individuals. Yoga should be made available to those economically disadvantage, underserved populations that are unable to afford memberships to the luxury spas and gyms. |
