Exercise intensity of real-time remotely delivered yoga via videoconferencing: Comparison with in-person yoga

Yoga, a discipline of mind and body [1,2], consisting of physical postures, breathing practice, and meditation [3], originated in India, and is a popular meditative exercise [1] which has shown to improve muscle strength and flexibility and reduce stress levels in patients with various diseases [[4], [5], [6], [7], [8]]. Web-based exercise via videoconferencing allows individuals to receive real-time instruction onscreen without traveling to a particular facility, just as they would in a face-to-face session [9]. Since the health status of the participants could be monitored onscreen, this exercise using yoga is considered to be a physical activity option for those who have difficulty going to hospitals as well as for maintaining daily physical activity for the elderly [10,11]. A previous study reported on the acceptance and safety of real-time remotely delivered yoga via videoconferencing (RDY) in patients with heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [12]. Another previous study has shown comparable satisfactory effects with RDY and in-person yoga (IPY) in military veterans [13].

Various physical activities are standardized by the American College of Sports Medicine for light, moderate, and vigorous intensity. For example, slow walking is defined as light, brisk walking as medium, and swimming leisurely as vigorous [14]. Yoga is generally performed by a sequence of multiple postures [1] and the most traditional yoga sequence, Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation, SS), consisting of 12 postures, has been reported as moderate to vigorous intensity [[15], [16], [17]]. In measuring exercise intensity, proficiency should be considered [15]. As far as we know, only one previous study has compared the exercise intensity of yoga in subjects with different levels of proficiency [18] and reported that experienced yoga practitioners showed higher energy expenditure than beginners IPY. However, these intensities were determined by studies using IPY, and to our knowledge, no studies have used RDY; therefore, differences between exercise intensity performed via RDY and IPY, and whether proficiency is associated with exercise intensity are unclear.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the exercise intensity of RDY compared to IPY and the association by proficiency level between experienced yoga practitioners and beginners using SS. We hypothesized that exercise intensity between RDY and IPY would be equivalent and that experienced practitioners would have higher exercise intensity than beginners.

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