Written by James C. Morton Jr., Staff Writer. In a randomized placebo-controlled clinical research study of healthy students, High-Intensity Hatha Yoga significantly increases apolipoproteins (5.2%) and adipocytokines (14.1%) compared to baseline and placebo group.
Hatha Yoga (HY) that originated in India, is a system of physical exercises and breathing control that complements traditional medicine. This form of multifaceted neuromotor exercise training uses psychophysical exercises such as the body (asana), breathing (pranayama), locks (bandha), seals (mudras), and mind concentration (dharana) 1,2. Studies have shown significantly decreasing effects on blood pressure, blood lipids, and metabolic measures such as glycosylated hemoglobin (HbAlc) 3. Some studies have also shown increases in oxygen consumption and heart rate variability 4, as well as decreased cortisol levels and levels of fatigue, stress and pain 2.
This present 2016 randomized, controlled study 5 was designed to assess the effects of high-intensity HY on cardiovascular fitness, heart rate recovery (HRR), BP and levels of adipocytokines and apolipoproteins. The final study analysis involved 44 healthy students (38 women, 6 men) aged 20 to 40 years with no heart conditions. They were given either high-intensity Hatha Yoga treatment (n=21) and training for 65 minutes, once a week for 6 weeks, or no Hatha Yoga treatment which represented the control group (n= 23). At the end of 6 weeks of the study, cardiovascular fitness factors were measured to assess any improvements in cardiovascular fitness (maximal oxygen consumption), heart rate recovery (HRR), blood pressure (BP), glycosylated hemoglobulin (HbA1c), adipocytokines, and apolipoproteins A1and B).
After 6 weeks, researchers noted the following (p<0.05 = significant):
| Cardiovascular Factors | High-Intensity Hatha Yoga Group | Control Group |
|---|---|---|
| Plasma Apolipoprotein A1 | 5.2% Increase (from 1.47 to 1.55) p-value = 0.03 (significant) | 1.85% Increase (from 1.59 to 1.62) p-value = 0.37 (not significant) |
| Serum Adiponectin (mg/L) | 14.1% Increase (from 8.32 to 9.53) p-value = 0.003 (significant) | 0.96% Increase (9.07 to 9.53) p-value = 0.18 (not significant) |
In addition, the HbA1c levels of the HI Hatha Yoga group decreased 3.1%, with a p-value = 0.07, though just short of being significant within the 6 weeks. The other cardiovascular factors did not show a significant difference (heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen), but the significant factors can have a direct or indirect effect on them when related to the cardiovascular system.
When suggesting how High-Intensity Hatha Yoga benefits those with cardiovascular disease and possibly cardiovascular fitness, the researchers pointed to its ability to increase apolipoproteins that play a major role in degrading particles rich in cholesterol and triglycerides by binding to low density lipoprotein receptors (LDL) and chylomicron remnants, and helps increase high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels 5. Adipocytokines such as adiponectins, have anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce cardiovascular disease, reduces the invasion and migration of cancer cells, protects against increased ALT levels that’s related to liver disease, and insulin resistance that is seen in obesity 6,7. Hatha Yoga reduces stress that can lead to an increase in adrenaline that causes an increase in cortisol, blood pressure, and the risk of developing heart problems 8.
Researchers also stated that the limitations to the study consist of the variation of home training and exercises, the need to conduct the research on older patients, and those with a lower fitness condition. They conclude that other additional limitations involve the use of pseudo-randomization to obtain equal group sizes, but the High-Intensity Hatha Yoga can potentially be effective in low doses.
Source: “Papp, Marian E., Petra Lindfors, Malin Nygren-Bonnier, Lennart Gullstrand, and Per E. Wändell. “Effects of high-intensity hatha yoga on cardiovascular fitness, adipocytokines, and apolipoproteins in healthy students: a randomized controlled study.” The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 22, no. 1 (2016): 81-87.
© Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
Posted November 14, 2017.
James C. Morton, Jr. MPH, BS, graduated from the University of Arizona in 2009 with a BS double major in Biochemistry/Molecular Biophysics & Molecular Cellular Biology. He is currently a candidate for the Naturopathic Medical Doctor degree at the National University of Health Science in Lombard, IL. His research involves Aedes agypti mosquito and live Denue Virus at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. He completed four research internships: Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, working with cancer cells (2009); Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, working on Aedes aegypti mosquito and live Dengue Virus (2008); University of Arizona, working on Aedes aegypti mosquito and lipid transporter protein (2006); and Arizona State University West, working on various bacteria (2005).
References:
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- Ross A, Thomas S. The health benefits of yoga and exercise: a review of comparison studies. The journal of alternative and complementary medicine. 2010;16(1):3-12.
- Papp ME, Lindfors P, Nygren-Bonnier M, Gullstrand L, Wändell PE. Effects of high-intensity hatha yoga on cardiovascular fitness, adipocytokines, and apolipoproteins in healthy students: a randomized controlled study. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2016;22(1):81-87.
- Gleeson M, Bishop NC, Stensel DJ, Lindley MR, Mastana SS, Nimmo MA. The anti-inflammatory effects of exercise: mechanisms and implications for the prevention and treatment of disease. Nature Reviews Immunology. 2011;11(9):607-615.
- Kiecolt-Glaser JK, Christian L, Preston H, et al. Stress, inflammation, and yoga practice. Psychosomatic medicine. 2010;72(2):113.
- Garber CE, Blissmer B, Deschenes MR, et al. Quantity and quality of exercise for developing and maintaining cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, and neuromotor fitness in apparently healthy adults: guidance for prescribing exercise. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 2011;43(7):1334-1359.
