Adherence to and changes in mental and physiological health during an 8-week yoga intervention: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Participating in yoga may be ideal for college students to increase physical activity and improve mental health. PURPOSE: To investigate the feasibility and impact of an 8-week yoga intervention within a university setting on mental and physiologic heath. METHODS: This 8-week yoga intervention included twelve yoga-naïve adults, (23.8 ± 4.6 years; 71% female). Participants attended two 60-min yoga classes/week in addition to baseline, mid- and post-lab visits. RESULTS: 83% of participants attended ≥75% of yoga classes. Stress and depression symptoms decreased by 11% and 25%, respectively and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) reduced by 28%. Participants who did not meet physical activity recommendations observed greater improvements in stress, depression symptoms, ESR, and C-reactive protein compared to participants who met recommendations. CONCLUSION: The majority of participants attended ≥12 of 16 yoga classes. Exploratory analyses provide preliminary support for the impact of yoga on reducing stress, symptoms of depression, and ESR. Participants who were not meeting physical activity guidelines prior to starting the intervention received greater benefits.

Association between yoga, physiologic and psychologic health: A cross sectional study.

PURPOSE: To compare markers of health associated with chronic diseases between yoga and non-yoga participants. METHODS: 30 participants were categorized as either: 1) "Yoga" engaging in yoga ≥2 times/week for ≥6 months, or 2) "Non-yoga" not engaging in yoga. RESULTS: Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) scores were significantly different between the yoga and non-yoga groups (PSS: 8.0 vs. 17.5, respectively, p < 0.05; BDI-II: 1.0 vs. 5.5, respectively, p < 0.05). No significant differences were evident between groups for inflammatory markers nor Complex V of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate values differed between groups based on clinical cutoffs, with yoga participants categorized as normal (11.0 mm) and non-yoga above normal (21.5 mm). CONCLUSION: This research supports that yoga participation is associated with lower PSS and BDI-II scores but does not support a relationship with markers of inflammation. Further research is warranted.

Use Of Ankle Immobilization In Evaluating Treatments To Promote Longitudinal Muscle Growth In Mice.

INTRODUCTION: Difficulty in modeling congenital contractures (deformities of muscle-tendon unit development that include shortened muscles and lengthened tendons) has limited research of new treatments. METHODS: Early immobilization of the ankle in prepuberal mice was used to produce deformities similar to congenital contractures. Stretch treatment, electrostimulation, and local intramuscular injection of a follistatin analog (FST-288) were assessed as therapeutic interventions for these deformities. RESULTS: Ankle immobilization at full plantarflexion and 90 ° created tendon lengthening and muscle shortening in the tibialis anterior and soleus. Stretch treatment produced minimal evidence for longitudinal muscle growth and electrostimulation provided no additional benefit. Stretch treatment with FST-288 produced greater longitudinal muscle growth and less tendon lengthening, constituting the best treatment response. DISCUSSION: Ankle immobilization recapitulates key morphologic features of congenital contracture, and these features can be mitigated by a combination of stretch and pharmacological approaches that may be useful in patients. Muscle Nerve 58: 718-725, 2018.