Moderate Aerobic Activity Through Yoga

The 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity each week to promote health. The most recent scientific advisory committee had insufficient evidence to provide recommendations on how the physical practice of yoga fits into the physical activity guidelines. Currently, there have been few studies done on yoga and its relative intensity. Previous randomized, cross-over trial to determine the effects of room temperature (hot yoga versus thermo-neutral environment) on subjective and objective markers of exercise intensity. They concluded that using objective markers (%VO2max) both thermo-neutral and hot yoga would be considered light intensity activity. Previous investigation of power yoga, heart rate, skin temperature, and body mass to determine that power yoga could be considered a moderate-vigorous intensity activity.

Currently, there is a gap in the research on understanding the intensity of exercise offered within a typical yoga studio including "flow", hatha/classical, and hot yoga. Most yoga classes are about 60 minutes in length, and yoga classes of that length have not been investigated. There is also minimal research done on whether wearable activity trackers and accelerometers are able to accurately assess heart rate, and therefore activity intensity level in a yoga setting.

Inclusion criteria

• Assessed as physical activity readiness i. For those 65-70 years of age. We will also use the Physical Readiness Questionnaire Plus-this "plus" version was developed to be more inclusive of those with limited mobility and not to over-exclude older adults in other clinical trials. If a participant fails the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire + (PARQ+), a physician's approval will be mandatory ii. For those 70-85 years of age. Complete PARQ+ as well as physician approval.
• Comprehension of English language
• Able to physically attend class at the yoga studio

Exclusion criteria

• Contraindication to physical activity including but not limited to people who can independently walk and stand. This will be part of the verbal screening protocol using Falls Efficacy Scale (FES). This scale has a minimum of 16 (no concern about falling) to maximum of 64 (severe concern about falling). Participants with FES score > 23 will be deemed high concern about falling and be excluded from participation.
• Assesses the presence and severity of 13 psychiatric symptom domains that cut across diagnostic boundaries. These domains include depression, anger, mania, anxiety, somatic symptoms, sleep disturbance, psychosis, obsessive thoughts and behaviors, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, substance use (e.g., alcohol, nicotine, prescription medication, and illicit substance use), personality functioning, dissociation, and cognition/memory problems in adults. Level 1 of this measure includes 23 questions across the 13 domains.