Autonomic recovery following submaximal exercise in yoga practitioners versus aerobic and strength-trained individuals

BACKGROUND: Rapid autonomic recovery after physical stress is a hallmark of cardiovascular health. While both yoga and conventional exercise modulate autonomic function, direct comparisons of their effect on post-exercise recovery are scarce. This study compared autonomic recovery in yoga practitioners versus those in aerobic or resistance training. METHODS: = 17). Participants performed a 5-minute submaximal Harvard step test. Heart rate variability (HRV) was analyzed from electrocardiograms recorded at baseline and during a 10-minute post-exercise recovery. RESULTS: < 0.05). No significant group differences were observed for pulse rate, blood pressure, or RMSSD recovery. CONCLUSION: Regular yoga practice is associated with more efficient parasympathetic reactivation after physical exertion. This suggests yoga's integrative nature is associated with unique advantages for autonomic strength compared to conventional aerobic and strength training.