Effects of a Single Evening Session of Vinyasa Yoga to Gentle Yoga on Sleep and Cardiovascular Health in Adults
Caitlin Cheruka
Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if yoga works to improve sleep and heart health in adults with and without insomnia disorder. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does the style of yoga impact participants heart health overnight? * Does the style of yoga improve participants sleep following a single session? Researchers will compare adults with insomnia disorder to adults with healthy sleep . Participants will: * Complete a moderate-intensity yoga practice, a low-intensity intensity yoga practice, and a quiet rest period while watching a nature documentary in the evening on three separate evenings * Participants will have their sleep and heart health measured using a watch and heart rate monitor overnight following each visit
Description
This study investigates how two different styles of yoga, vinyasa yoga and gentle yoga, impact sleep and heart health in adults with and without insomnia. Insomnia, a common sleep disorder, increases the risk of heart disease, the leading cause of death worldwide. Recently, the American Heart Association identified poor sleep as a key factor in maintaining heart health, yet there is limited research on therapies that can simultaneously improve both sleep and cardiovascular function. By examining the immediate effects of a single evening session of yoga, this study aims to determine if yoga cou…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–40 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults 18-40 years * Insufficiently inactive define by the L-CAT (responses below public health physical activity guidelines) * Physical activity is not contraindicated (i.e., no affirmative responses on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire for Everyone (PAR-Q+) * Adults with diagnosed insomnia disorder and score ≥ 10 on the Insomnia Severity Index * Good sleeps a score \< 10 (no history of sleep disorder) * Basic understanding of yoga poses * Access to a smart device (such as a smartphone or tablet) Exclusion Criteria: * Regular yoga practice (\> 60 minutes p…
Interventions
- BehavioralVinyasa yoga
Participants will follow a pre-recorded standardized sequence that includes a person demonstrating each sequence and provides verbal cues for the vinyasa yoga session. The 60-minute vinyasa yoga protocol incorporated standing, seated, and supine postures and included the following order of sequences: integration, sun salutations, crescent lunge series, balancing, standing, back bending, and restorative series.
- BehavioralGentle yoga
Participants will follow a pre-recorded standardized sequence that includes a person demonstrating each sequence and provides verbal cues for the gentle yoga session. This sequence focuses primarily on seated and supine postures and is designed to be accessible, safe, and restorative. All poses are low-impact and supported using yoga blocks to promote comfort and reduce physical strain.
- OtherNon-active control
The non-active control session, participants will complete a quiet rest period while watching a nature documentary. The film is educational in nature and has been carefully selected to avoid any graphic, distressing, offensive, or psychologically sensitive content. It is commercially available and rated G for general audiences. Participants will be asked to remain seated and refrain from the use of electronic devices. A staff member will remain present to ensure participants following procedures.
Location
- University of Central FloridaOrlando, Florida