Conclusion This review is the first to compare the effects of yoga with active and inactive controls in older adults not characterised by a specific clinical condition .
Results indicate that yoga interventions improve multiple physical function and HRQoL outcomes in this population compared to both control conditions .
This study provides robust evidence for promoting yoga in physical activity guidelines for older adults as a multimodal activity that improves aspects of fitness like strength , balance and flexibility , as well as mental wellbeing .
Background Yoga has been recommended as a muscle strengthening and balance activity in national and global physical activity guidelines .
However , the evidence base establishing the effectiveness of yoga in improving physical function and health related quality of life ( HRQoL ) in an older adult population not recruited on the basis of any specific disease or condition , has not been systematic ally review ed .
The objective of this study was to synthesis e existing evidence on the effects of yoga on physical function and HRQoL in older adults not characterised by any specific clinical condition .
Regulation of blood volume during training in post-menopausal women.
UNLABELLED In younger people the increase in aerobic capacity following training is related , in part , to blood volume ( BV ) expansion and the consequent improvements in maximal cardiac output . This training-induced hypervolemia is associated with a decrease in cardiopulmonary baroreflex ( CPBR ) control of peripheral vascular tone . PURPOSE To test the hypothesis that improvement in peak oxygen consumption ( VO2peak ) during training in older women is associated with specific central adaptations , such as BV expansion and a reduction in CPBR control of vascular tone . METHODS Seventeen healthy older women were r and omized into training ( N = 9 , 71 + /- 2 yr ) and control ( N = 8 , 73 + /- 3 yr ) groups . The training group exercised three to four times per wk for 30 min at 60 % peak heart rate for 12 wk and then 40 - 50 min at 75 % peak heart rate for 12 wk . The control group participated in yoga exercises over the same time period . We measured resting BV ( Evans blue dye ) , VO2peak , and the forearm vascular resistance response to unloading low pressure mechanoreceptors during low levels of lower body negative pressure ( through -20 mm Hg ) before and after aerobic training . The slope of the increase in forearm vascular resistance ( response ) per unit decrease in central venous pressure ( stimulus ) was used to assess CPBR responsiveness . RESULTS Aerobic training increased VO2peak 14.2 % from 24.2 mL x kg(-1 ) x min(-1 ) to 27.7 mL x kg(-1 ) x min(-1 ) ( P < 0.05 ) , a smaller improvement than typically seen in younger subjects .  Blood volume ( 59.9 + /- 1.9 and 60.9 + /- 1.9 mL x kg[-1 ] ) and CPBR function ( -3.98 + /- 0.92 and -3.46 + /- 0.94 units x mm(-1 ) Hg ) were similar before and after training . CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that the inability to induce adaptations in CPBR function may limit BV expansion during training in older women . In addition , the absence of these specific adaptations may contribute to the relatively poor improvements in VO2peak in older women during short ( 10 - 12 wk ) periods of training
Conclusion This review is the first to compare the effects of yoga with active and inactive controls in older adults not characterised by a specific clinical condition .
Results indicate that yoga interventions improve multiple physical function and HRQoL outcomes in this population compared to both control conditions .
This study provides robust evidence for promoting yoga in physical activity guidelines for older adults as a multimodal activity that improves aspects of fitness like strength , balance and flexibility , as well as mental wellbeing .
Background Yoga has been recommended as a muscle strengthening and balance activity in national and global physical activity guidelines .
However , the evidence base establishing the effectiveness of yoga in improving physical function and health related quality of life ( HRQoL ) in an older adult population not recruited on the basis of any specific disease or condition , has not been systematic ally review ed .
The objective of this study was to synthesis e existing evidence on the effects of yoga on physical function and HRQoL in older adults not characterised by any specific clinical condition .