title: Difference in muscle activation patterns during high-speed versus standard-speed yoga: A randomized sequence crossover study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the difference in muscle activation between high-speed yoga and standard-speed yoga and to compare muscle activation of the transitions between poses and the held phases of a yoga pose.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized sequence crossover trial SETTING: A laboratory of neuromuscular research and active aging Interventions: Eight minutes of continuous Sun Salutation B was performed, at a high speed versus a standard-speed, separately. Electromyography was used to quantify normalized muscle activation patterns of eight upper and lower body muscles (pectoralis major, medial deltoids, lateral head of the triceps, middle fibers of the trapezius, vastus medialis, medial gastrocnemius, thoracic extensor spinae, and external obliques) during the high-speed and standard-speed yoga protocols.
  
  
  METHODS
  Difference in normalized muscle activation between high-speed yoga and standard-speed yoga.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Normalized muscle activity signals were significantly higher in all eight muscles during the transition phases of poses compared to the held phases (p<0.01). There was no significant interaction between speed×phase; however, greater normalized muscle activity was seen for highspeed yoga across the entire session.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results show that transitions from one held phase of a pose to another produces higher normalized muscle activity than the held phases of the poses and that overall activity is greater during highspeed yoga than standard-speed yoga. Therefore, the transition speed and associated number of poses should be considered when targeting specific improvements in performance.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neuromuscular Research and Active Aging, University of Miami, Department of Kinesiology and Sports Sciences, 1507 Levante Avenue, #123, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States. Electronic address: m.potiaumpai@umiami.edu.
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Potiaumpai
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neuromuscular Research and Active Aging, University of Miami, Department of Kinesiology and Sports Sciences, 1507 Levante Avenue, #123, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States. Electronic address: carolmassonim@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Maria Carolina Massoni
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neuromuscular Research and Active Aging, University of Miami, Department of Kinesiology and Sports Sciences, 1507 Levante Avenue, #123, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States. Electronic address: c.wong8@umiami.edu.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neuromuscular Research and Active Aging, University of Miami, Department of Kinesiology and Sports Sciences, 1507 Levante Avenue, #123, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States. Electronic address: t.desai@umiami.edu.
authors.forename: Trusha
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Desai
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neuromuscular Research and Active Aging, University of Miami, Department of Kinesiology and Sports Sciences, 1507 Levante Avenue, #123, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States. Electronic address: Robertr1008@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.affiliation: Green Monkey Yoga, 1430 S Dixie Highway, #116, Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States. Electronic address: kiersten@greenmonkey.com.
authors.forename: Kiersten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mooney
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neuromuscular Research and Active Aging, University of Miami, Department of Kinesiology and Sports Sciences, 1507 Levante Avenue, #123, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States; Miller School of Medicine, Center on Aging, University of Miami, 1695 N.W. 9th Avenue, Suite 3204, Miami, FL 33136, United States. Electronic address: jsignorile@miami.edu.
authors.forename: Joseph F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Signorile
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004576:Electromyography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019122:Meditation / Q000523:psychology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D015013:Yoga / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Aerobic training; Interval training; Muscle activity; Power yoga