Heart rate and thermal responses to power yoga

Background: and Purpose: Yoga has grown in popularity and may offer a viable alternative form of physical activity. The purpose of this study was to examine heart rate, hydration, and thermal responses to a power yoga sequence. Materials and Methods: Twenty-seven men and women (n = 4/23; Mean +/- SD age = 23.3 +/- 3.3 years; BMI = 23 +/- 3 kg m(-2)) underwent similar to 45 min of power yoga. Heart rate and skin temperature were recorded. Mass was measured before and after exercise to estimate fluid loss. Time spent in light, moderate, and vigorous heart rate zones was calculated. Results: Heart rate and skin temperature increased (p < 0.0001). Participants spent more time in moderate and vigorous heart rate zones than in light intensity (p < 0.0001). There was a reduction in body mass (-0.28 +/- 0.13 kg, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Power yoga may be considered moderate-vigorous intensity exercise, based on heart-rate.