ABSTRACT
This study aimed to describe yoga practice and verify its association with depression, anxiety, and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic among Brazilian practitioners. A cross-sectional anonymous online survey was conducted in all regions of Brazil using a snowball sampling strategy among yoga practitioners. A total of 860 participants (87% female, aged: 19-82 years) completed the survey. Sociodemographic data, lifestyle factors, yoga practice during the pandemic, and the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) scores were collected between July 9 and July 15, 2021. Overall, 9.5%, 9.3%, and 5.6% of participants exhibited some traits (mild to severe) of depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. Hatha yoga (48%) was the most commonly practiced yoga style. In the adjusted analysis, a higher yoga experience (> 5 years) was associated with better anxiety (odds ratio; bootstrap 95% confidence interval: 2.42; 1.32, 4.49) and stress status (1.80; 1.06, 3.00) than beginners (< 1 year). Practitioners who reported higher time and days of yoga practice during the study period were more likely to show normal levels of depression (odds ratio: 2.56-6.49; p â< â0.05), anxiety (odds ratio: 3.68-8.84; p â< â0.05), and stress (odds ratio: 2.15-5.21; p â< â0.05). Moreover, the maintenance of practice frequency during the pandemic was associated with higher odds of normal levels of depression (2.27; 1.39-3.79), anxiety (1.97; 1.25-3.10), and stress (1.97; 1.32-2.96). In conclusion, our findings indicated that a higher level of yoga practice was associated with better mental health levels during the COVID-19 pandemic.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Ursolic acid (UA) supplementation may have therapeutic effects on metabolic syndrome (MetS). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of UA supplementation associated with a combined exercise program on MetS components in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Twenty-six women (61 ± 7 years) were randomized into two groups: UA (n = 13) and placebo (PLA, n = 13). Both groups followed a combined exercise program for 8 weeks (twice a week; ~60 min at moderate intensity) associated with either UA (450 mg/day) or placebo supplementation. Before and post-intervention, waist circumference (primary outcome), resting blood pressure, fasting blood analyses, body composition and physical function (secondary outcomes) were evaluated. RESULTS: Greater changes in the absolute (mean difference: 1.8 kgf, 95% CI 0.3, 3.2) and relative (0.03 kgf/kg, 95% CI 0.01, 0.05) handgrip strength was observed for the UA group compared with PLA. However, no significant effects between groups were observed for waist circumference and other secondary outcomes. Furthermore, remission of MetS (according to the NCEP ATP III criteria) occurred in 38.5% of the participants in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The UA supplementation did not promote additional MetS profile improvement after 8 weeks of free-living intervention. However, our data indicated that UA resulted in a higher response on handgrip strength than did placebo in postmenopausal women, but further long-term studies are needed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ensaiosclinicos.gov.br): number RBR-276rrt.
