Two women in yoga pose in front of a pink background

Study on the biomechanical requirements of yoga exercice

Man-Ying Wang et al.

January 2013

Yoga

The University of California investigated the biomechanical demands of seven widely practiced yoga exercises in older adults.

For this purpose, 20 senior citizens participated in two weekly, 60-minute Hatha yoga healing therapies over a period of 32 weeks. The torques on the joint axis of the lower extremities (DM) were measured in the positions chair, plank, tree, warrior II, side plank, half moon and one-legged balance.

ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc tests were used to determine the differences between the poses, and electromyography was also included. The different positions produced different values.

The half moon, for example, placed the highest demands on hip flexion and knee extension, while in the frontal plane the tree produced the strongest DM in the hip and knee adductors.

The researchers identified the figure of the tree as a particularly suitable pose for seniors, as it promotes balance. The electromyographic findings were consistent with the DM observed.

The most important information on the study at a glance

Indications: General physical health, mobility
Institution: Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
Title: Study on the biomechanical requirements of individual yoga exercises
Brief description: A study shows that the biomechanical demands of 7 yoga exercises in seniors vary depending on the position.
Original title: The biomechanical demands of standing yoga poses in seniors: The Yoga empowers seniors study (YESS)
Link to the study: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3557154/