A recent study from the University of Sharjah compares yoga and conventional exercise, measuring the impact on vascular function using ultrasound in sedentary individuals.
Surprisingly, the results challenge the popular narrative, finding yoga may not actually be as effective as traditional workouts in boosting vascular health. While both aim to get the blood flowing, it seems that sweat-inducing routines might have the upper hand in keeping arteries supple and responsive.
This study zooms in on a pool of published data, methodically analyzing randomized controlled trials (RCTs), controlled clinical trials (CCTs), and comparative studies to ensure a rigorous and evidence-based approach. It assessed vascular function using high-precision ultrasound tools such as flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and pulse wave velocity (PWV).
"The study shows that structured exercise keeps those hoses flexible, while yoga provides some benefits but not as reliably," David explained. "Middle-aged and older adults often notice improvements from yoga, but younger adults might not."
The review lined up 10 studies, half exploring yoga, half diving into diverse exercise routines. On one side: Hatha, Bikram, and Vinyasa yoga, mostly US-based, gently nudging sedentary adults (18–70 years) into 8–12 weeks of mindful movement, tracked through vascular metrics like arterial compliance and pulse wave velocity.
On the other, a mixed bag of motion: Tai Chi's flow, Pilates' precision, HIIT's intensity, and even quick desk-bound wiggles. These exercise interventions ranged from one-off bursts to 24-week marathons, each testing how far a little movement can go in reviving vascular vitality.
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