Design

The design was a repeated-measures randomized crossover trial. Each study participant completed 4 different sessions on 4 different days: (day 1) participant screening; (day 2 or 3) study condition A (seated, quiet rest); (alternate day 2 or 3) study condition B (moderate-intensity YogaFit); and (day 4) a session to rate IAPS pictures (14) and undergo a single DEXA scan [Prodigy/301776R. G.E. Medical Systems-Lunar DEXA Scanner, Fairfield, CT, USA]. Utilizing a simple randomization process, pparticipants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to participate in either the YogaFit condition or the quiet rest condition. The study conditions were counterbalanced and alternated using odd and even numbers to begin the sequence. Participants were not informed if the first condition was A or B. Self-reported anxiety levels and 10 min of continuous physiological data were collected: (a) baseline; (b) post-condition; and (c) post-exposure for both condition A and B. All participants completed both the psychological and physiological assessments.

Both experimental conditions A and B were completed in 90 min. To ensure compliance, participants were observed through a glass window every 10 min during study conditions. Testing time and procedures were identical with the exception of the experimental condition on days two and three.