Background:

Vinyasa yoga (VY), a form of yoga shown to meet guidelines for moderate physical activity, has been sparsely studied for its effects on sleep and autonomic function among adults with insomnia. In this study, we examine the effects of an acute evening VY session on sleep and nocturnal heart rate variability (HRV), a measure of cardiovascular autonomic function, in adults with insomnia symptoms.

Methods:

Thirty-three insufficiently active US adults (84.8% female; 78.8% White; age = 34.9 ± 10.6 years; body mass index = 28.9 kg/m²) with at least mild insomnia symptoms (Insomnia Severity Index ≥ 10) were randomized to either a single 60-minute session of VY (n = 17) or a quiet rest control condition (CON: n = 16). One night before and after the acute experimental session, participants wore a wrist accelerometer and chest heart rate monitor overnight and completed a sleep diary. Analyses compared presession with postsession changes in sleep and HRV between groups using linear mixed models and Cohen’s d effect sizes.

Results:

The change in actigraphy-assessed sleep efficiency (SE) and total sleep time (TST) did not differ from presession to postsession for VY (SE: 88.9 ± 5.7% to 88.9 ± 6.2%; TST: 434.08 ± 79.4 minutes to 428.30 ± 98.1 minutes) or CON (SE: 89.4 ± 5.7% to 88.7 ± 6.5%; TST: 425.44 ± 79.3 minutes versus 391.90 ± 101.5 minutes); group × time interactions were not statistically significant (each P > 0.48). No significant differences were found between groups in nocturnal root mean square of successive differences HRV (P = 0.94).

Conclusion:

An acute bout of VY performed in the early evening did not significantly change accelerometer- or diary-assessed sleep or impact cardiovascular autonomic function during sleep.

ABSTRACT

Mental illnesses encompass a broad spectrum of disorders, each presenting unique challenges and psychosocial impacts that can affect individuals’ daily lives and overall well-being to varying degrees. While treatments are available, a large treatment gap exists between those requiring mental health care and those who access mental health care. Pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy are often first-line treatments; however, when accessible, barriers to adherence exist, including medication side effects and long appointment waitlists. International guidelines increasingly recommend physical activity due to significant mental and physical health benefits for people experiencing mental illness. These recommendations are founded on well-established evidence supporting the use of physical activity interventions in both the prevention and treatment of several mental illnesses including depressive disorders, anxiety and stress-related disorders, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and bipolar disorders. Clinical exercise professionals are well placed to deliver physical activity interventions to people living with mental illnesses. To do so effectively, they must remain informed about the recent research and understand the unique considerations to working in mental health settings. In this brief review, we aim at summarizing high-level evidence regarding physical activity and mental health prevention and treatment from meta-analyses, meta-reviews, systematic reviews, umbrella reviews, expert guidelines, and clinical treatment guidelines. We also recommend strategies for clinical exercise professionals to increase intervention engagement and discuss the evidence for preventing physical comorbidities in people with mental illness.

BACKGROUND

Physical activity (PA) and exercise reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity, and depression and contribute to improved lipid metabolism, sleep quality, and overall health (1 –4). For individuals with diabetes, engaging in regular PA and exercise increases insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle and can improve glycemic control (5 –7). Current guidelines recommend at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous PA daily for children and adolescents (8,9), yet those with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are less likely to meet these recommendations—with evidence suggesting higher sedentary rates, lower

Background:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, clinical exercise prescription and delivery were disrupted and rates of physical activity among older Australians were negatively impacted. Western Australia is a region in which a proportion of the population lives in rural and remote communities, with limited access to exercise clinics.

Methods:

This mixed-methods approach included an online survey of the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on exercise behaviors and physical and mental health of older adults, and their impressions of personalized telehealth exercise programs provided by their exercise clinic during lockdowns and delivered via telehealth. Participants were also invited to take part in focus group interviews to gather further insights regarding online exercise delivery for older Western Australians.

Results:

A total of 53 participants completed the survey (median age, 74 years; 43–85 years). A minority of participants reported that exercising at home was as effective (12%, P < 0.001) and as enjoyable (14%, P < 0.001) as exercising at the exercise clinic, 51% felt that exercising at home helped to maintain their mental well-being (P < 0.001), and 69% were willing to try a supervised real-time telehealth exercise session and use technology for physical assessments and exercise monitoring. The focus group (n = 11) identified important themes around social support, adequate opportunity for preparation prior to the telehealth exercise session, and flexibility in session delivery.

Conclusion:

Although telehealth delivery of exercise to older adults requires further development and refinement, the program as delivered facilitated people to remain active when in-person clinic or fitness center supervision was not possible.

Barriers and Facilitators to Worksite Wellness Program Engagement: Content Analysis

Emmilee A. WoodbreyMS,

Erin C. MeekBS,

James W. WhitworthPhD, and

Nicholas J. SantaBarbaraPhD

Effects of a Single-Evening Yoga Session on Sleep in US Adults With Insomnia Symptoms

Background:

Methods:

Results:

Conclusion:

Muscling Up on Mental Illness: A Review on Physical Activity in Mental Health Care

ABSTRACT

Sports and Activity Program Participation by a 14-Year-Old Athlete With New Onset Type 1 Diabetes

BACKGROUND

Telehealth Exercise for Older Adults: A Mixed-Methods Study in Western Australia

Background:

Methods:

Results:

Conclusion:

Barriers and Facilitators to Worksite Wellness Program Engagement: Content Analysis

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