A comparative controlled trial comparing the effects of yoga and walking for overweight and obese adults.

Author: Telles S, Sharma SK, Yadav A, Singh N, Balkrishna A.
Affiliation:
Patanjali Research Foundation, Haridwar, India.
Conference/Journal: Med Sci Monit.
Date published: 2014 May 31
Other: Volume ID: 20 , Pages: 894-904 , Special Notes: doi: 10.12659/MSM.889805 , Word Count: 190



Background Walking and yoga have been independently evaluated for weight control; however, there are very few studies comparing the 2 with randomization. Material and Methods The present study compared the effects of 90 minutes/day for 15 days of supervised yoga or supervised walking on: (i) related biochemistry, (ii) anthropometric variables, (iii) body composition, (iv) postural stability, and (v) bilateral hand grip strength in overweight and obese persons. Sixty-eight participants, of whom 5 were overweight (BMI ≥25 kg/m2) and 63 were obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m2; group mean age ±S.D., 36.4±11.2 years; 35 females), were randomized as 2 groups - (i) a yoga group and (ii) a walking group - given the same diet. Results All differences were pre-post changes within each group. Both groups showed a significant (p<0.05; repeated measures ANOVA, post-hoc analyses) decrease in: BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, lean mass, body water, and total cholesterol. The yoga group increased serum leptin (p<0.01) and decreased LDL cholesterol (p<0.05). The walking group decreased serum adiponectin (p<0.05) and triglycerides (p<0.05). Conclusions Both yoga and walking improved anthropometric variables and serum lipid profile in overweight and obese persons. The possible implications are discussed.
PMID: 24878827

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