Scientific Facts about Hatha Yoga Training on Fitness

In the last decade, the number of individuals practicing hatha yoga has greatly increased. Originating in India thousands of years ago, the activity has become recently popular in this part of the world. Other than professional fitness centers, the physical activity is gaining popularity through numerous schools, colleges, DVDs etc providing yoga instruction for beginners and advanced level of yoga learners. In the last 10 to 15 years, the scientists across different countries, have been measuring the intensity of hot yoga by taking into account the heart rate response, metabolic equivalent levels and rate of oxygen consumption during the training. Their studies evaluated how individuals benefit from every minute of the training. The main purpose of the study is to investigate the affects of training on some important fitness components of individuals including body composition, muscular strength, flexibility as well as muscular endurance. Another major purpose is to accurately measure the heart rate responses of individuals during the class. According to scientists, the findings will be helpful to prescribe the hatha yoga classes to individuals according to their exercise goals, fitness levels, health conditions and limitations. Effects of training on body composition Body composition is an important component. It is important to maintain the body composition as excess fat can cause diseases. The experts employ different methods to access body composition like bioelectrical impedance, hydrostatic weighing, skin fold measurements and dual X-ray absorptiometry. The findings of the effects of training are found to be different, depending on the demographics of the individuals, duration and frequency of programs undertaken by them. Effects of training on muscular strength Muscular strength can make the daily activities simple to be done. Consequently, the muscular strength is important to stay protected against injuries. To check how hatha yoga affects muscular strength, the experts compare the pre and post training results. To measure handgrip strength, a handgrip dynamometer is used by the experts. The needle of the tool indicates the amount of force produced by squeezing of the dynamometer by the individuals. The common findings or results of 21% higher handgrip strength than pre training are observed in the children, adults and the people with rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, no significant changes were observed in muscular strength for knee flexion. Similarly, the studies explain the changes and positive effects of yoga on muscular endurance and flexibility of different age groups. Hence, on the basis of above studies, it will become easier for professional fitness gyms and training providers to prescribe the physical activity as per the limitations and exercise goals of individuals.