Study on the biomechanical requirements of yoga exercice

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.