Changes in physiological and biomechanical variables in women practicing the Power Yoga system

Abstract

Study aim: To investigate changes in selected indices of anaerobic capacity, the ability to maintain body balance and the height of elevating body’s centre of mass, and maximum power output in lower limbs during countermovement jump (CMJ) after 6 months of participation in yoga classes in Ashtanga Vinyasa system (Power Yoga). Material and methods: The study included 24 untrained women who volunteered to participate in a half-year experiment. The analysis focused on 12 women who participated in the classes until the experiment ended. The Wingate test was used to evaluate anaerobic capacity. In order to measure the functional state of vestibular organ the authors used a stabilographic method. Measurements of power output in the lower limbs and the height of elevation of the centre of mass in CMJ jumps were carried out using a dynamometric platform. Results: The 6 months of training in the Power Yoga system considerably improved the height of CMJ jumps from 0.276 ± 0.048 m to 0.308 ± 0.038 m (p<0.05). These changes were not accompanied by significant increases in maximum power output (1286 ± 200 W and 1327 ± 2134 W before and after, respectively; p>0.05). Conclusions: Practicing Power Yoga does not induce changes in the anaerobic capacity and the functional state of the vestibular organ in women.