Racial Differences in Yoga-Induced Responses

The purpose of this study is to 1) determine whether racial differences are evident in resting arterial stiffness and ambulatory blood pressure between African Americans and Caucasians 2) compare heart rate, blood pressure and cytokine production responses to exercise (yoga) between African Americans and Caucasians; 3) compare isokinetic muscular strength between racial groups; and 4) determine if correlations exist between these measures.

Inclusion Criteria:Men between the ages of 18 and 39 (25 African American and 25 Caucasian) that are not professional or collegiate athletesMust exercise at least 3 days per week and have no more than 1 month of yoga practice.Exclusion Criteria:Having stage 2 hypertension (>130 mmHg for systolic / >90 mmHg for diastolic) or higher or having taken BP medications within the 3 months prior to testingInfection within the previous 4 weeksKnown renal diseasePrior myocardial infarctionKnown coronary artery diseasePersonal history of strokeHeart failureCardiac arrhythmiasChronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseRecent chest pain or dyspneaOrthopedic limitations that preclude the execution of yoga posturesCurrent insulin dependenceChronic inflammatory conditionsBlindness or deafness as participants will need to follow a yoga DVD in order to complete the sessionHaving practiced yoga for more than 1 monthHaving parents of mixed racial backgrounds (i.e. both parents must be Caucasian or African American)Not being African American or CaucasianBeing a professional or collegiate athleteBeing insulin-dependent