Routine Yoga Practice Impacts Whole Body Protein Utilization in Healthy Women

Abstract

Whole body protein utilization (WBPU), which includes flux (Q), protein synthesis (PS), protein breakdown (PB), and whole body protein balance (WBPB), provides insight regarding muscle mass, a criterion for sarcopenia. To characterize yoga’s impact on WBPU, body composition and functional measures in healthy (50–65 years) women. WBPU and functional measures were compared between women who routinely practiced yoga (YOGA; n = 7) and nonactive counterparts (CON; n = 8). Q (0.61 ± 0.06 vs. 0.78 ± 0.07,p = .04), PS (3.07 ± 0.37 vs. 4.17 ± 0.40,p = .03), PB (2.59 ± 0.48 vs. 3.80 ± 0.48,p = .05) were lower, and lean body mass higher (64 ± 1 vs. 58 ± 2%,p ≤ .01) for YOGA vs. CON, respectively. WBPB and functional measures were similar. Routine yoga practice influenced WBPU in healthy older women. Study findings are novel and provide a basis for future investigations evaluating long-term benefits of yoga as an alternative mode of exercise for maintaining muscle mass in support of active aging.