Effect of Yoga on Cardio-Respiratory Health Markers: Physical Fitness Index and Maximum Oxygen Consumption (VO2 Max)

摘要

Sedentary lifestyle is one of the major Cardio-vascular risk factor. Although, yoga is used as a mind-body exercise to increase physical fitness, data on effectiveness of long-term training of yoga on cardio-respiratory fitness in healthy adults is least available.Aim: To find out the effect of Yoga practice on Physical Fitness Index (PFI) and Maximum Oxygen Consumption (VO2 max) in healthy adults.Materials and Methods: A pre-post interventional study was conducted on 200 (120 male and 80 female) healthy subjects. An intervention of Yoga (Asanas, Pranayama and Meditation) for six months (one hour per day, six days per week) was given. Weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), Physical Fitness Index (PFI) and VO2 max were determined. PFI and VO2 max were determined by using modified Harvard Step Test (HST) and modified Queen?s College Step Test (QST), respectively. Data was collected at baseline and after six months of yoga training. Collected result data was analysed by using paired t-test.Results: Yoga practice for six months caused significant reduction in weight and BMI (p<0.0001) and significant increase in BMR (p=0.005), PFI (p<0.0001) and VO2 max (p<0.0001).Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that yoga is an effective mind-body modality to enhance cardio-respiratory fitness and reduce adiposity in healthy adults.