The effects of yoga and quiet rest on subjective levels of anxiety and physiological correlates: a 2-way crossover randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Rest or acute exercise can decrease state anxiety, with some evidence showing exercise to prevent laboratory-induced elevations in anxiety. No study has examined whether yoga provides short-term protection against laboratory-induced anxiety. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of an acute YogaFit session on state anxiety and measures of heart rate variability (HRV) to determine whether yoga provides short-term protection against emotional picture stimuli. METHODS: A randomized repeated-measures crossover clinical trial was performed. Forty healthy, female college students completed a 30 min session of YogaFit and a time-matched seated rest condition on separate days. After each condition, participants viewed 30 min of emotional picture stimuli. State anxiety, heart rate and time-domain and frequency-domain measures of HRV were assessed baseline, post- condition, and post-exposure to emotional stimuli. Data were analysed using a condition x time (2 × 3) repeated-measures ANOVA. RESULTS: Post-hoc comparisons indicate the following: (1) state anxiety significantly decreased from baseline to post-condition for both yoga and rest (p = 0.001) but returned to baseline values following exposure to emotional stimuli (p < 0.001) for both conditions; (2) heart rate decreased post-condition to post-exposure (p = 0.020) and baseline to post-exposure (p = 0.033) for both conditions; (3) time-domain measure of HRV showed a significant increase in HRV between baseline and post-condition (p = 0 .019), post-condition and post-exposure (p = 0 .007), and between baseline and post-exposure (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Both YogaFit and seated rest were effective at acutely reducing state anxiety post-condition, but not at preventing an induced anxiety response post-exposure. Following exposure to the emotionally stimulating pictures, there was a shift from the high frequency-domain to the low frequency-domain and an increase in the time-domain measure of HRV for both the YogaFit and the quiet rest condition. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Retrospectively registered 2/16/2018, clinicaltrials.gov, Identifier: NCT03458702 .

Effect of sex hormones on neuromuscular control patterns during landing.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of sex hormones across menstrual cycle phases on lower extremity neuromuscular control patterns during the landing phase of a drop jump. A repeated-measures design was utilized to examine sex hormone effects in 26 recreationally active eumenorrheic women. Varus/valgus knee angle and EMG activity from six lower extremity muscles were recorded during three drop jumps from a 50 cm platform in each phase of the menstrual cycle. Blood assays verified sex hormone levels and cycle phase. The semitendinosus muscle exhibited onset delays (p0.006) relative to ground contact during the luteal phase, and demonstrated a significant (p0.05) difference between early and late follicular phases. Muscle timing differences between the gluteus maximus and semitendinosus were decreased (p0.05) in the luteal compared to early follicular phases. These results suggest a different co-contractive behavior between the gluteus maximus and semitendinosus, signifying a shift in neuromuscular control patterns. It appears that female recreational athletes utilize a different neuromuscular control pattern for performing a drop jump sequence when estrogen levels are high (luteal phase) compared to when they are low (early follicular phase).

Omega-3 fatty acids in obesity and metabolic syndrome: a mechanistic update.

Strategies to reduce obesity have become public health priorities as the prevalence of obesity has risen in the United States and around the world. While the anti-inflammatory and hypotriglyceridemic properties of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) are well known, their antiobesity effects and efficacy against metabolic syndrome, especially in humans, are still under debate. In animal models, evidence consistently suggests a role for n-3 PUFAs in reducing fat mass, particularly in the retroperitoneal and epididymal regions. In humans, however, published research suggests that though n-3 PUFAs may not aid weight loss, they may attenuate further weight gain and could be useful in the diet or as a supplement to help maintain weight loss. Proposed mechanisms by which n-3 PUFAs may work to improve body composition and counteract obesity-related metabolic changes include modulating lipid metabolism; regulating adipokines, such as adiponectin and leptin; alleviating adipose tissue inflammation; promoting adipogenesis and altering epigenetic mechanisms.

Investigating the influence of shame, depression, and distress tolerance on the relationship between internalized homophobia and binge eating in lesbian and bisexual women.

There is limited research evidence about the specific factors influencing disordered eating for lesbian and bisexual women. Therefore, this study investigated relationships among binge eating, internalized homophobia, shame, depression, and distress tolerance in a sample of lesbian (n=72) and bisexual women (n=66). Two hypotheses were tested. First, it was hypothesized that shame and depression would mediate the relationship between internalized homophobia and binge eating. Second, it was hypothesized that distress tolerance would moderate the relationship between shame and binge eating and the relationship between depression and binge eating in the mediation relationships proposed in the first hypothesis. Results indicated that shame was a significant mediator for the relationship between internalized homophobia and binge eating, that depression was not a significant mediator, and that distress tolerance did not moderate the significant mediation relationship between shame and binge eating. The data in this study also indicated that the proportions of lesbian and bisexual participants who reported binge eating and compensatory behavior did not differ significantly, but that bisexual participants reported significantly more depression and shame than lesbian participants.

Explanatory variance in maximal oxygen uptake.

The purpose of this study was to develop a prediction equation that could be used to estimate maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) from a submaximal water running protocol. Thirty-two volunteers (n =19 males, n = 13 females), ages 18 - 24 years, underwent the following testing procedures: (a) a 7-site skin fold assessment; (b) a land VO2max running treadmill test; and (c) a 6 min water running test. For the water running submaximal protocol, the participants were fitted with an Aqua Jogger Classic Uni-Sex Belt and a Polar Heart Rate Monitor; the participants' head, shoulders, hips and feet were vertically aligned, using a modified running/bicycle motion. A regression model was used to predict VO2max. The criterion variable, VO2max, was measured using open-circuit calorimetry utilizing the Bruce Treadmill Protocol. Predictor variables included in the model were percent body fat (% BF), height, weight, gender, and heart rate following a 6 min water running protocol. Percent body fat accounted for 76% (r = -0.87, SEE = 3.27) of the variance in VO2max. No other variables significantly contributed to the explained variance in VO2max. The equation for the estimation of VO2max is as follows: VO2max ml.kg(-1)·min(-1) = 56.14 - 0.92 (% BF). Key PointsBody Fat is an important predictor of VO2 max.Individuals with low skill level in water running may shorten their stride length to avoid the onset of fatigue at higher work-loads, therefore, the net oxygen cost of the exercise cannot be controlled in inexperienced individuals in water running at fatiguing workloads.Experiments using water running protocols to predict VO2max should use individuals trained in the mechanics of water running.A submaximal water running protocol is needed in the research literature for individuals trained in the mechanics of water running, given the popularity of water running rehabilitative exercise programs and training programs.

The Effects of Mindfulness-Based Movement on Parameters of Stress.

The Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program (MBSR) of Kabat-Zinn includes a combination of sitting meditation, yoga, and walking; thus, movement is not emphasized primarily to induce a state of awareness. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a Mindfulness-Based Movement Program (MBM) in women on parameters of stress and coping; that is, in contrast to MBSR, MBM primarily emphasized yoga to cultivate awareness. This study investigated: (a) an objective measure of stress (the cortisol response to a laboratory stressor) following an 8-week MBM in year 1 participants only (n = 17; MBM group = 9; Control group = 8); (b) subjective measures of stress following an 8-week MBM in years 1 and 2 (n = 32; MBM = 16; C = 16); and (c) changes in coping style following an 8- week MBM in years 1 and 2 (n = 32; MBM = 16; C = 16). A mixed plot 2 (Group: TC or MBM) by 5 (Trial: Baseline, Stressor, Recovery 1, Recovery 2, and Recovery 3) repeated measures ANOVA was run for cortisol. Preliminary results indicated a strong trend towards a lowered cortisol response for the MBM group compared to the control group. A mixed plot 2 (Group: TC or MBM) by 2 (Time: Pretest, Post-test) repeated measures ANOVA was run for Spielberg's State Anxiety, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Problem Focused Style of Coping Scale for the Suppressive, Reflective, and the Reactive Coping Style. There were significant main effects for time, group, and an interaction of time and group for Spielberg's State Anxiety and the Perceived Stress Scale. Significant differences were also found for time and the interaction of time and group for the Problem Focused Style of Coping for the Reflective Coping Style (p < 0.05). In conclusion, results indicate positive effects of the MBM program on perceived measures of stress and coping style in women.

A pilot study to examine the effects of a mindfulness-based stress-reduction and relaxation program on levels of stress hormones, physical functioning, and submaximal exercise responses.

OBJECTIVE: Stress has been cited as a causal factor in heart disease. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of an 8-week mindfulness-based stress-reduction program on the resting levels of stress hormones, physical functioning, and submaximal exercise responses in women with heart disease. SUBJECTS: Random selection with the numbers 1 and 2 were used to assign 18 women (60 +/-6.3 years old) with documented histories of heart disease to a treatment group (n = 9) or a control group (n = 9). Speilberger's state anxiety scores for the treatment (M = 37.88; standard deviation (SD) = 10.91) and control group (M = 43.22; SD = 12.26) were not significantly different prior to the start of the study. However, their scores fell in the upper percentile rank for normal adults in their age category. INTERVENTION: The intervention was provided one night each week for 2 hours over a period of 8 weeks. The intervention included didactic, inductive, and experiential modes of learning regarding stress responses and mindfulness skill-development training. DESIGN: Pre-post test hormonal measurements and physical function were analyzed using a 2 (group) by 2 (time) analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures following the 8-week program. Submaximal exercise responses were also compared between the treatment group and the control group following the 8-week program. A 2 (group) by 3 (time) ANOVA with repeated measures was used to analyze the data. SETTINGS/LOCATION: Weekly meetings were held on a university medical school campus. Submaximal exercise responses were recorded while participants cycled on a stationary bike in an applied physiology laboratory following the 8-week program. RESULTS: There were no significant main effects or interaction for the resting levels of stress hormones or physical functioning. There were no significant interactions for the submaximal exercise responses, however, there were significant main effects between groups for ventilation [F(2,32) = 7.65, p < .01, f = 0.8], and between group [F(1,16) = 8.84, p < .01, f = 0.8] and time [F(2,32) = 10.42, p < .01, f = 0.9], for breathing frequency. CONCLUSION: While the 8-week stress reduction program for women with heart disease did not show significant interactions between groups for resting levels of stress hormones, physical functioning, or submaximal exercise responses, there was a significant difference in breathing patterns between the 2 groups during exercise following the mindfulness-based stress-reduction program. There was also a trend for change in the intervention group in the resting levels of cortisol and physical function scores that was not seen in the control group. Future studies could use the effect size generated from this pilot study to calculate the number of subjects needed for adequate power to detect significant differences between groups.

The effects of movement, relaxation, and education on the stress levels of women with subclinical levels of bulimia.

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of a multidisciplinary intervention program on the attitudes and symptoms associated with bulimia nervosa (BN). The Bulimia Test (BULIT) and subscales from the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (EDI-2) associated with BN were administered to 373 females to determine eligibility for participation in the study. In order to qualify for the study, participants had to be female, not be anorexic, and meet one of four criteria indicating that they had some of the symptoms of BN. Following the screening, 12 females were randomly assigned to a control group (C, n=6) or an intervention group (I, n=6). The I group then participated in an 8-week multidisciplinary intervention program consisting of small group discussions, movement improvisation, and relaxation techniques. Dependent variables consisted of scores from standardized instruments for anxiety, self-esteem, and BN. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) on the difference score from post- to pretest was calculated for state and trait anxiety. That analysis indicated that compared to the C group, which showed no reduction in anxiety, the I group had a significant reduction in anxiety following the intervention program. No significant differences were found between groups for self-esteem or symptoms of BN. Conclusions were that anxiety levels were lowered in the I group; however, attitudes or behaviors associated with BN were not affected by the intervention.

Mindful exercise, quality of life, and survival: a mindfulness-based exercise program for women with breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this article is to describe the rationale and protocol for a pilot study in women with breast cancer that integrates the two complementary therapies of mindfulness and exercise. DESIGN: A sample of 30 women diagnosed with breast cancer within the previous 12 months who have completed initial treatment for their disease will be recruited from oncology physicians' offices. The pilot will be a pre-post design, and the study will occur within a hospital counseling center for 2 h one day/week for 8 weeks. Participants will complete pre-and post-questionnaires on anxiety, depression, quality of life, and the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) checklist. Patients will receive audiotapes and pedometers and will keep detailed logs of their weekly homework assignments. OUTCOME: Appropriate statistical analyses will be carried out to arrive at data-driven results. If results show significant benefit for the participants, the program will be revised as needed for improvement. DIRECTIONS: Future directions will be based on findings of the proposed pilot, which will dictate how to proceed after completion of the pilot study. A future goal, if preliminary findings and a replication study are encouraging, will be the development of a Mindfulness-based Exercise Program Manual for dissemination and use by researchers and clinicians to help empower patients with cancer.

Neuroendocrine responses to psychological stress in eumenorrheic and oligomenorrheic women.

Neuroendocrine adaptive responses to psychological stress include activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and sometimes suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. In women who experience chronic stress, these responses are probably responsible for disturbances in the menstrual cycle. In the present experiment, we investigated the effect of an acutely stressful situation on the physiological and neuroendocrine responses in college age women. We hypothesized that females who are experiencing some degree of abnormal menstrual function or women who have less-robust cycles (oligomenorrheic females) would exhibit differences in gonadotropin secretion from eumenorrheic females when exposed to psychological stressors. Fifteen women completed this study: eumenorrheic (n = 5) and oligomenorrheic women (n = 5) who experienced a series of psychological stressors, and eumenorrheic controls (n = 5). Blood samples were taken at 10 min intervals for 8 h (09:00-17:00) in each woman during the mid-follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. The psychological stressors were administered for 1 h beginning at 13:00 h. Luteinizing hormone (LH), growth hormone (GH) and cortisol were measured in each sample to assess the effect of stress on secretion of these hormones. Deconvolution analysis was used to analyze pulsatile hormone secretion and the approximate entropy (ApEn) statistic analyzed the regularity of release of each hormone. Although, there were significant changes in heart rate (HR), skin resistance (SR) and cortisol levels in the stressed women during the psychological stressor compared to resting baseline values but not in the controls, there was no difference in either LH or GH secretion between women who experienced stress and those who did not. Furthermore, there were no differences in the LH or GH secretion patterns in the oligomenorrheic and eumenorrheic women exposed to the psychological stressor.

The relationship between eating disorder attitudes and the risk of cardiovascular disease.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between eating disorder (ED) attitudes and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Forty women (M age = 18.85) agreed to participate in this study. A regression analysis was used to statistically examine this relationship. The criterion variable was the risk of CVD. The predictor variables were the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 subscales. Drive for thinness and body dissatisfaction accounted for 45% (adjusted R(2) =.449) of the variance in the participant's CVD risk score. The knowledge gained from this study of this relationship would be beneficial to health care professionals responsible for primary and secondary prevention.

Mindfulness meditation, anxiety reduction, and heart disease: a pilot study.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death among Americans each year, yet the misperception still exists that cardiovascular disease is not a serious health problem for women. Evidence indicates that anxiety contributes to the development of heart disease. The primary purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of Kabat-Zinn's mindfulness-based stress reduction program to reduce anxiety in women with heart disease. Anxiety, emotional control, coping styles, and health locus of control were compared in a treatment and control group of women with heart disease. Post-intervention analyses provide initial support for beneficial effects of this program.

Explanatory variance in bulimia nervosa.

In order to prevent disease, one must understand the factors that contribute to the variance of the illness. In an effort to better understand factors that contribute to bulimia nervosa (BN), a study was designed to investigate explanatory factors in BN. Of particular interest to the researchers in the study was the effect of the Hispanic subculture on the variance of BN. Female participants (n = 372) and male participants (n = 109) from the ages of 17-49 agreed to serve in the study. A self-report scale designed to assess the symptoms of BN was the criterion variable in the study. Predictor variables included in the regression model were drive for thinness, body mass index (BMI), age, and ethnicity (Hispanic or Anglo). Separate analyses were run for males and females. Based on the results of the analysis it seems that the desire to be thinner and an individual's BMI contribute to the variance in BN for females, but not for males. There was no difference in the attitudes associated with BN between Hispanic (n = 27) and Anglo (n = 321) females.