Routine Yoga Practice Impacts Whole Body Protein Utilization in Healthy Women.

Author: Colletto M1, Rodriguez N1,2
Affiliation:
11 Department of Nutritional Sciences and Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT.
22 Department of Kinesiology and Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT.
Conference/Journal: J Aging Phys Act.
Date published: 2017 Apr 19
Other: Volume ID: 1-24 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1123/japa.2016-0085. [Epub ahead of print] , Word Count: 142


Whole body protein utilization (WBPU), which includes flux (Q), protein synthesis (PS), protein breakdown (PB), and whole body protein balance (WBPB), provides insight regarding muscle mass, a criterion for sarcopenia.

PURPOSE: To characterize yoga's impact on WBPU, body composition and functional measures in healthy (50-65y) women.

METHODS: WBPU and functional measures were compared between women who routinely practiced yoga (YOGA; n=7) and non-active counterparts (CON; n=8).

RESULTS: Q (0.61±0.06 vs. 0.78±0.07, p=0.04), PS (3.07±0.37 vs. 4.17±0.40, p=0.03), PB (2.59±0.48 vs. 3.80±0.48, p=0.05) were lower, and lean body mass higher (64±1 vs. 58±2%, p≤0.01) for YOGA vs. CON, respectively. WBPB, and functional measures were similar.

CONCLUSIONS: Routine yoga practice influenced WBPU in healthy older women. Study findings are novel and provide a basis for future investigations evaluating long-term benefits of yoga as an alternative mode of exercise for maintaining muscle mass in support of active aging.

PMID: 28422542 DOI: 10.1123/japa.2016-0085

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