AUTHOR=Lee Kwang-Ho , Ju Hyo-Myeong , Yang Woo-Hwi 

TITLE=Metabolic Energy Contributions During High-Intensity Hatha Yoga and Physiological Comparisons Between Active and Passive (Savasana) Recovery

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Physiology

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2021.743859

DOI=10.3389/fphys.2021.743859

ISSN=1664-042X

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Purpose:</bold> The objective of this study was to investigate metabolic energy contributions during high-intensity hatha yoga (HIHY) and to compare changes in physiological variables between active and passive recovery methods.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> The study involved 20 women yoga instructors (<italic>n</italic> = 20) who performed 10 min of HIHY (vigorous sun salutation). Upon completion, they were randomly assigned to either active (walking; <italic>n</italic> = 10) or passive (<italic>savasana</italic>; <italic>n</italic> = 10) recovery groups for a period of 10 min. During HIHY, physiological variables such as heart rate (HR<sub>peak</sub> and HR<sub>mean</sub>), oxygen uptake (VO<sub>2peak</sub> and VO<sub>2mean</sub>), and blood lactate concentrations (peak La<sup>−</sup>) were measured. Energetic contributions (phosphagen; W<sub>PCR</sub>, glycolytic; W<sub>Gly</sub>, and oxidative; W<sub>Oxi</sub>) in kJ and % were estimated using VO<sub>2</sub> and La<sup>−</sup> data. Furthermore, the metabolic equivalents (METs) of VO<sub>2peak</sub> and VO<sub>2mean</sub> were calculated. To compare different recovery modes, HR<sub>post</sub>, ΔHR, VO<sub>2post</sub>, ΔVO<sub>2</sub>, recovery La<sup>−</sup>, and recovery ΔLa<sup>−</sup> were analyzed.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> The results revealed that HR<sub>peak</sub>, VO<sub>2peak</sub>, and peak La<sup>−</sup> during HIHY showed no differences between the two groups (<italic>p</italic> &gt; 0.05). Values of HR<sub>peak</sub>, HR<sub>mean</sub>, METs of VO<sub>2peak</sub> and VO<sub>2mean</sub>, and La<sup>−</sup> during HIHY were 95.6% of HR<sub>max</sub>, 88.7% of HR<sub>max</sub>, 10.54 ± 1.18, 8.67 ±.98 METs, and 8.31 ± 2.18 mmol·L<sup>−1</sup>, respectively. Furthermore, W<sub>Oxi</sub> was significantly higher compared with W<sub>PCR</sub>, W<sub>Gly</sub>, and anaerobic contribution (W<sub>PCR</sub> + W<sub>Gly</sub>), in kJ and % (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.0001). VO<sub>2post</sub> and recovery ΔLa<sup>−</sup> were significantly higher in the active recovery group (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.0001, <italic>p</italic> = 0.0369, respectively). Values of ΔVO<sub>2</sub> and recovery La<sup>−</sup> were significantly lower in the active group compared with the passive group (<italic>p</italic> = 0.0115, <italic>p</italic> = 0.0291, respectively).</p><p><bold>Conclusions:</bold> The study concluded that high-intensity hatha yoga which was performed for 10 min is a suitable option for relatively healthy people in the modern workplace who may have hatha yoga experience but do not have time to perform a prolonged exercise. Following active recovery, they can participate in further HIHY sessions during short breaks. Furthermore, a faster return to work can be supported by physiological recovery.</p>