Plain language summary
Walking and yoga are types of exercise that may be useful for weight loss. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of yoga and walking on the biochemistry, body composition, balance and strength in overweight people. 68 Indian adults who were overweight or obese were allocated to either yoga or walking twice a day for 15 days. Both groups were given the same plant-based diet providing 1,650 kcal/day Both groups showed similar and significant decreases in body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumference, lean mass, body water and total cholesterol over the 15 days. The yoga group increased serum leptin and decreased LDL cholesterol. The walking group decreased serum adiponectin and triglycerides. Since there was no control group, it was not possible to attribute the changes to the yoga or walking, rather than the diet. The authors concluded that both yoga and walking improved anthropometric variables and serum lipid profile in overweight and obese people, and that these interventions may be useful in treating obesity.
Abstract
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.
Methodological quality
Allocation concealment
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