Hatha Yoga And YogaCue Improve Peak Power And Functional Outcomes In Older Adults.

Yoga provides a safe and accessible training option for older adults, improving independence and quality of life. However, differences in yoga programming may affect specific neuromuscular and functional performance variables. PURPOSE: To compare the responses in neuromuscular and functional performance due to a high-speed, cued yoga program, YogaCue (YC), and traditional Hatha yoga (HY) in a sample of independently living older adults. METHODS: 21 older adults (aged 60-90) were randomly assigned to and completed three 1-hour sessions per week of YC (n = 11) or HY (n = 10) for 24 weeks. YC paired high-speed transitions and cued flow sequences with visual and auditory challenges. Chest press (CP) and leg press (LP) strength (1RM) and peak power (PP), percent body fat (%BF), the Physical Performance Test (PPT), the Timed Up and Go (TUG), and the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), were tested before and after training. RESULTS: A significant group x time interaction was seen for %BF (p = .008; ηp 2 = .327) with a significant decrease by YC alone (MDiff ± SE = -1.5 ± 0.7%; p = 0.034; g = 0.17). A significant time effect was seen for LP-1RM (p = .002; ηp 2 = .428) with an increase of 9.57 ± 2.61 kg (p = .002; g = 0.21) and for LP-PP (p = .041; ηp 2 = .212) with an increase of 51.67 ± 23.47 W (p = 0.041; d = 0.21). No improvements were found for CP. A significant time effect was seen for PPT (p = 0.024; ηp 2 = 0.239) with a significant improvement by the sample (0.85 ± 0.35; p = 0.024; g = 0.47). The changes made by the YC group (1.00 ± 0.48; p = 0.051; g = 0.66) were predominantly responsible for the improvement. A significant time effect was seen for the TUG (p = 0.006; ηp 2 = 0.337) driven by an improvement by HY (-0.75 ± 0.23 s; p = 0.004; g = 0.30). A significant main effect for time was seen for the 6MWT (p = 0.002, ηp 2 = 0.411) with an improvement of 27.9 ± 7.7 m. CONCLUSIONS: The significant improvements by the sample for all performance variables support the positive impact of yoga on physical performance in older subjects. The improvements in LP-1RM and LP-PP, with no change in CP-1RM or CP-PP, reflect the predominant use of standing poses for both interventions. Further, the greater improvements in PPT by YC may be explained by its multi-modal nature. In the HY group, the longer pose durations may have produced greater improvements in strength and balance, and therefore, TUG. Supported by: McKnight Brain Research Foundation Cognitive Aging and Memory Intervention Core Inter-institutional Pilot Award