Exercise intensity of real-time remotely delivered yoga via videoconferencing: Comparison with in-person yoga

Abstract

Background and purpose: Yoga has been studied as a rehabilitation option, but barriers to attendance remain. Videoconferencing, where participants can receive online, real-time instruction and supervision, may reduce the barriers. However, whether exercise intensity is equivalent to that of in-person yoga, and the relationship between proficiency and intensity remain unclear. The present study aimed to investigate whether the intensity of exercise is different between real-time remotely-delivered yoga via videoconferencing (RDY) and in-person yoga (IPY) and its relationship to proficiency.

Materials and methods: Healthy yoga beginners (n = 11) and yoga practitioners (n = 11) performed yoga (Sun Salutation) consisting of 12 physical postures in real-time remotely delivered via videoconferencing and in-person (RDY, IPY, respectively), each for 10 min on different days, in random order, using an expiratory gas analyzer. Oxygen consumption was collected, metabolic equivalents (METs) were calculated based on the data, exercise intensity was compared between RDY and IPY, and differences of METs between beginners and practitioners in both interventions were also assessed.

Results: Twenty-two participants (mean age ± standard deviation, 47.2 ± 10.8 years) completed the study. There were no significant differences in METs between RDY and IPY (5.0 ± 0.5, 5.0 ± 0.7, respectively, P = 0.92), and no difference by proficiency level in both RDY (beginners: 5.0 ± 0.4, practitioners: 5.0 ± 0.6, P = 0.77) and IPY (beginners: 5.0 ± 0.7, practitioners: 5.0 ± 0.7, P = 0.91). No serious adverse events occurred in both interventions.

Conclusion: The exercise intensity of RDY is equivalent to IPY regardless of proficiency with no adverse events in RDY occurring in this study.

Keywords: Complementary medicine; Home-based exercise; Telehealth; Web-based physical activity.