Hunter, Stacy D.Tarumi, TakashiDhindsa, Mandeep S.Nantinee NualnimTanaka, HirofumiMahidol University. Faculty of Physical Therapy2018-04-182018-04-182013Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. Vol.17, No.3 (2013), 322-327https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/10560Summary The aim of this study was to determine the effect of hatha yoga on arterial elasticity and endothelial function. First, a cross-sectional study was performed to determine whether yoga practitioners would demonstrate greater arterial compliance and endothelium-dependent vasodilation than their sedentary peers. Second, an intervention study involving 13 sedentary middle-aged and older adults (51 ± 7 years) was performed to determine whether 12 weeks of hatha yoga would elicit increases in arterial compliance and endothelial function. In the cross-sectional study involving a total of 34 subjects, there were no group differences in body fatness, blood lipid and lipoprotein concentrations, carotid artery compliance or brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD). Hemoglobin A1c was lower in yoga practitioners than in sedentary adults (P < 0.05). Total cholesterol and hemoglobin A1c decreased after the intervention (P < 0.05) while carotid artery compliance and brachial artery FMD did not change. The results of both cross-sectional and interventional studies indicate that regular practice of hatha yoga is not associated with improvements in vascular functions.engMahidol UniversityArterial stiffnessFlexibilityFlow-mediated dilationEndothelial functionStretchingArticleElsevier10.1016/j.jbmt.2012.10.009