Metabolic Energy Contributions During High-Intensity Hatha Yoga and Physiological Comparisons Between Active and Passive (Savasana) Recovery

Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate metabolic energy contributions during high-intensity hatha yoga (HIHY) and to compare changes in physiological variables between active and passive recovery methods.</p> Methods: The study involved 20 women yoga instructors (n = 20) who performed 10 min of HIHY (vigorous sun salutation). Upon completion, they were randomly assigned to either active (walking; n = 10) or passive (savasana; n = 10) recovery groups for a period of 10 min. During HIHY, physiological variables such as heart rate (HRpeak and HRmean), oxygen uptake (VO2peak and VO2mean), and blood lactate concentrations (peak La-) were measured. Energetic contributions (phosphagen; W-PCR, glycolytic; W-Gly, and oxidative; W-Oxi) in kJ and % were estimated using VO2 and La- data. Furthermore, the metabolic equivalents (METs) of VO2peak and VO2mean were calculated. To compare different recovery modes, HRpost, Delta HR, VO2post, Delta VO2, recovery La-, and recovery Delta La- were analyzed.</p> Results: The results revealed that HRpeak, VO2peak, and peak La- during HIHY showed no differences between the two groups (p > 0.05). Values of HRpeak, HRmean, METs of VO2peak and VO2mean, and La- during HIHY were 95.6% of HRmax, 88.7% of HRmax, 10.54 +/- 1.18, 8.67 +/-.98 METs, and 8.31 +/- 2.18 mmol center dot L-1, respectively. Furthermore, W-Oxi was significantly higher compared with W-PCR, W-Gly, and anaerobic contribution (W-PCR + W-Gly), in kJ and % (p < 0.0001). VO2post and recovery Delta La- were significantly higher in the active recovery group (p < 0.0001, p = 0.0369, respectively). Values of Delta VO2 and recovery La- were significantly lower in the active group compared with the passive group (p = 0.0115, p = 0.0291, respectively).</p> Conclusions: The study concluded that high-intensity hatha yoga which was performed for 10 min is a suitable option for relatively healthy people in the modern workplace who may have hatha yoga experience but do not have time to perform a prolonged exercise. Following active recovery, they can participate in further HIHY sessions during short breaks. Furthermore, a faster return to work can be supported by physiological recovery.</p>