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 .
Effects of aerobic exercise training and yoga on the baroreflex in healthy elderly persons.
It is unclear whether the age-associated reduction in baroreflex sensitivity is modifiable by exercise training . The effects of aerobic exercise training and yoga , a non-aerobic control intervention , on the baroreflex of elderly persons was determined . Baroreflex sensitivity was quantified by the alpha-index , at high frequency ( HF ; 0.15 - 0.35 Hz , reflecting parasympathetic activity ) and mid-frequency ( MF ; 0.05 - 0.15 Hz , reflecting sympathetic activity as well ) , derived from spectral and cross-spectral analysis of spontaneous fluctuations in heart rate and blood pressure . Twenty-six ( 10 women ) sedentary , healthy , normotensive elderly ( mean 68 years , range 62 - 81 years ) subjects were studied . Fourteen ( 4 women ) of the sedentary elderly subjects completed 6 weeks of aerobic training , while the other 12 ( 6 women ) subjects completed 6 weeks of yoga .  Heart rate decreased following yoga ( 69 + /- 8 vs. 61 + /- 7 min-1 , P < 0.05 ) but not aerobic training ( 66 + /- 8 vs. 63 + /- 9 min-1 , P = 0.29 ) . VO2 max increased by 11 % following yoga ( P < 0.01 ) and by 24 % following aerobic training ( P < 0.01 ) . No significant change in alpha MF ( 6.5 + /- 3.5 vs. 6.2 + /- 3.0 ms mmHg-1 , P = 0.69 ) or alpha HF ( 8.5 + /- 4.7 vs. 8.9 + /- 3.5 ms mmHg-1 , P = 0.65 ) occurred after aerobic training . Following yoga , alpha HF ( 8.0 + /- 3.6 vs. 11.5 + /- 5.2 ms mmHg-1 , P < 0.01 ) but not alpha MF ( 6.5 + /- 3.0 vs. 7.6 + /- 2.8 ms mmHg-1 , P = 0.29 ) increased . Short- duration aerobic training does not modify the alpha-index at alpha MF or alpha HF in healthy normotensive elderly subjects .  alpha HF but not alpha MF increased following yoga , suggesting that these parameters are measuring distinct aspects of the baroreflex that are separately modifiable
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 .