A Comparison of Blood Viscosity and Hematocrit Levels between Yoga Practitioners and Sedentary Adults
| dc.contributor.author | Shadiow, James | |
| dc.contributor.author | Tarumi, Takashi | |
| dc.contributor.author | Dhindsa, Mandeep | |
| dc.contributor.author | Hunter, Stacy D. | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2019-07-31T14:16:59Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2019-07-31T14:16:59Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2019-01 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Elevations in whole blood viscosity (WBV) and hematocrit (Hct), have been linked with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Endurance training has been demonstrated to lower WBV and Hct; however, evidence supporting the efficacy of yoga on these measures is sparse. A cross-sectional study was conducted examining WBV and Hct levels between yoga practitioners with a minimum of 3 years of consistent practice and sedentary, healthy adults. Blood samples were collected from a total of 42 participants: 23 sedentary adults and 19 regular yoga practitioners. Brachial arterial blood pressure (BP) was measured and the averages of 3 measures were reported. The yoga practitioner group had significantly lower WBV at 45 s-1 (p < 0.01), 90 s-1 (p < 0.01), 220 s-1 (p < 0.05), and 450 s-1 (p < 0.05) than sedentary participants. No significant group differences in Hct (p =0.38) were found. A tendency toward lower systolic BP (p=0.06) was observed in the yoga practitioner group; however, no significant group differences in BP were exhibited. A consistent yoga practice was associated with lower WBV, a health indicator related to CVD risk. These findings support a regular yoga practice as a valid form of exercise for improving rheological indicators of cardiovascular health. | |
| dc.description.department | Health and Human Performance | |
| dc.format | Text | |
| dc.format.extent | 8 pages | |
| dc.format.medium | 1 file (.pdf) | |
| dc.identifier.citation | Shadiow, J., Tarumi, T., Dhindsa, M., & Hunter, S. D. (2018). A comparison of blood viscosity and hematocrit levels between yoga practitioners and sedentary adults. International Journal of Exercise Science, 11(2), pp. 425–432. | |
| dc.identifier.issn | 1939-795X | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/10877/8427 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Berkeley Electronic Press | |
| dc.source | International Journal of Exercise Science, 2018, Vol. 11, No. 2, pp. 425–432 | |
| dc.subject | alternative exercise | |
| dc.subject | rheological factors | |
| dc.subject | biomarkers | |
| dc.subject | cross-sectional | |
| dc.subject | cardiovascular disease | |
| dc.subject | Health and Human Performance | |
| dc.title | A Comparison of Blood Viscosity and Hematocrit Levels between Yoga Practitioners and Sedentary Adults | |
| dc.type | Article |