OBJECTIVES:

To compare energy expenditure and volume of oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production during a high-speed yoga and a standard-speed yoga program.

DESIGN:

Randomized repeated measures controlled trial.

SETTING:

A laboratory of neuromuscular research and active aging.

INTERVENTIONS:

Sun-Salutation B was performed, for eight minutes, at a high speed versus and a standard-speed separately while oxygen consumption was recorded. Caloric expenditure was calculated using volume of oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

Difference in energy expenditure (kcal) of HSY and SSY.

RESULTS:

Significant differences were observed in energy expenditure between yoga speeds with high-speed yoga producing significantly higher energy expenditure than standard-speed yoga (MD=18.55, SE=1.86, p<0.01). Significant differences were also seen between high-speed and standard-speed yoga for volume of oxygen consumed and carbon dioxide produced.

CONCLUSIONS:

High-speed yoga results in a significantly greater caloric expenditure than standard-speed yoga. High-speed yoga may be an effective alternative program for those targeting cardiometabolic markers.

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