Effects of Ashtanga-Vinyasa Yoga Supta on Portuguese Airforce Military Pilots Performance

A randomized, prospective, controlled trial was designed, with the participants (n=18) randomly distributed into two groups. The Control Group (n=8) will be receiving the protocolized classes from the course "Masters in Military Aeronautics: aviator pilot specialist" for 12 weeks, the Intervention Group (n=10) will receive the same course and 2 sessions per week (1h each) of the yoga classes (4). The intensity of the program (Borg rating of perceived exertion scale) will be measured. The operative performance response measurements will be collected at baseline and post-intervention. Participants will complete the following emergency protocols in a flight simulator: (1) take-off engine failure, (2) flight engine failure close to the base, (3) flight engine failure far away from the base, and (4) alternator failure. This intervention protocol was accepted by the Portuguese Airforce to be applied on Airbase 11 in Beja.