Positive Health Online

Abstract

LOEWENTHAL and COLLEAGUES, (1)Division of Aging, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School; Boston, MA, USA.  jloewenthal@bwh.harvard.edu ; (2)Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; (3)University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA; (4)Carle Illinois College of Medicine, Urbana, IL, USA; (5)Division of Preventive Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA,USA; Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; (6)Division of Aging, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School; Boston, MA, USA; New England Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center (GRECC), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA summarize the evidence linking yoga practice to mitigation of age-related degradation across multiple physiologic systems, including cardiovascular, pulmonary, musculoskeletal, and nervous systems.

Background

Frailty represents diminished reserve across multiple physiologic systems, accompanied by increased vulnerability to stressors and increased morbidity and mortality. With population aging, strategies to prevent and manage frailty are priorities in clinical medicine and public health.

Methodology

Current evidence-based approaches to frailty management are multimodal in nature. Yoga, an increasingly popular and highly adaptable mind-body practice, is multi-component, incorporating physical postures, breathing practices, meditation, and other elements, and may be a strategy for frailty management.

Results

Here, we summarize the evidence linking yoga practice to mitigation of age-related degradation across multiple physiologic systems, including cardiovascular, pulmonary, musculoskeletal, and nervous systems.

Conclusion

We discuss putative mechanisms of action including modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Finally, we consider implications for clinical practice and future research. Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.. All rights reserved.

References

Loewenthal JV(1), Farkas EJ(2), McGough K(3), Tomita B(4), Wayne PM(5), Orkaby AR(6). The impact of yoga on aging physiology: A review.  J Nutr Health Aging: 28(2):100005. doi: 10.1016/j.jnha.2023.100005. Epub  18 Dec 2023. Feb 2024.

Erratum in

    J Nutr Health Aging.;28(5):100249. May 2024. doi: 10.1016/j.jnha.2024.100249.