Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of disability and death worldwide. Yoga, a mind-body exercise, utilizes breathing techniques with low-impact physical activity that may be an alternative treatment for cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this systematic review was to examine yoga interventions for patients at-risk for and/or suffering from cardiovascular disease. The inclusion criteria for interventions were (a) published in the English language between 2005 and 2015; (b) indexed in MEDLINE/PubMed, CINAHL, or Alt HealthWatch; (c) employed a quantitative design; and (d) applied a yoga intervention. Twelve interventions met the inclusion criteria, of which, all documented significant improvements in one or more factors associated with cardiovascular disease. Limitations to the studies in this review included a lack of studies adhering to the inclusion criteria, small sample sizes, and high attrition rates. Despite the limitations, this review demonstrates the clear potential yoga has as an alternative and complementary means to improve cardiovascular disease risk.

While there is a concerted effort to promote physical activity (PA) across United States government and non-governmental organizations, interventions typically focus on aerobic forms of PA, leaving out muscle strengthening PA. The purpose of this study was to operationalize the Reasoned Action Approach (RAA) to explain theory-based correlates of aerobic and muscle strengthening PA, which can provide targets for future public health interventions. Theory-based correlates of both PA behaviors were evaluated using logistic regression analyses, and intentions predicted a significant amount of aerobic PA (14.9%) and muscle strengthening PA (30.7%). Theory-based correlates of intentions to both PA behaviors were evaluated using linear regression analyses, and attitudes, perceived norms, and perceived behavioral control predicted a significant amount for aerobic PA (46.2% to 55.8%) and for muscle strengthening PA (53.9% to 59.8%). Finally, theory-based correlates of attitudes, injunctive norms, descriptive norms and perceived behavioral control were evaluated using salient beliefs, derived from an elicitation study. Results suggest that the RAA is a robust framework for predicting both types of PA behaviors. Belief-based measures also provides guidance for future public health promotion interventions and health communication strategies.

Researchers and practitioners have primarily focused on understanding and promoting aerobic forms of physical activity (PA), while leaving muscle-strengthening forms of PA less understood. There are also stark gender disparities for muscle-strengthening PA but not aerobic PA. The purpose of this study was to apply the reasoned action approach (RAA) toward understanding theory-based determinants of muscle-strengthening PA and to explore gender differences. Female (n = 272) and male (n = 120) college students completed a valid and reliable survey evaluating their participation in muscle-strengthening PA and the constructs of the RAA (intentions, attitudes, perceived norms, and perceived behavioral control [PBC]). Results showed that attitudes, perceived norms, and PBC explained a substantial amount of the variance of intentions for both female (53.8%) and male (54.7%) participants; however, when predicting participation in muscle-strengthening PA, PBC moderated the relationship between intentions and muscle-strengthening PA participation for female participants but not for male participants. Results from this study showed that for women, implementational processes are likely needed for public health interventions to promote muscle-strengthening PA to build capability, skills, and self-efficacy, while for men, motivational interventions are warranted to create favorable attitudes.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the determinants of sugary drink consumption among overweight and obese adults attempting to lose weight using the Integrative Model of Behavioural Prediction (IMB). Design: Cross-sectional design. Method: Determinants of behavioural intentions (attitudes, perceived norms and perceived behavioural control [PBC]) and sugary drink consumption (intentions, skills/abilities, environment and PBC) were evaluated using data collected at a weight loss clinic in a southwestern US city ( n = 338). Determinants of attitudes, injunctive norms, descriptive norms and PBC were evaluated using salient beliefs, which were derived from an elicitation study. Results: Using structural equation modelling, two separate models were evaluated. Both models had good fit (combined model – Comparative Fit Index [CFI] = .970, Tucker–Lewis Index [TLI] = .921, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation [RMSEA] = .062; expanded model – CFI = .966, TLI = .911, RMSEA = .060) and accounted for a significant amount of variance for intentions (40.7%–42%) and sugary drink consumption (16.2%). Conclusion: The IMB appears to be an effective model for planning health education interventions. Health practitioners should operationalise behaviour change techniques and strategies that target attitudes, perceived norms and PBC using the salient beliefs evaluated in this study.