The Association of Duration of Yoga Practice on the Physiological and Cardiopulmonary Variables.

BACKGROUND

Yoga is a holistic practice linked with various physiological and cardiopulmonary benefits. However, the relationship between the duration of yoga practice and these parameters remains insufficiently explored.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the association between the duration of yoga practice and selected anthropometric, cardiovascular, and respiratory parameters among healthy adults.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 100 healthy adults who practiced yoga for at least 30 min per day on a minimum of 4 days per week. Participants were classified into two groups according to the duration of yoga practice: <6 months (n = 50) and >6 months (n = 50). Anthropometric and cardiopulmonary parameters were assessed and compared between the groups.

RESULTS

Participants practicing yoga for >6 months had significantly lower body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate compared with those practicing for <6 months (P < 0.05). Oxygen saturation and peak expiratory flow rate were significantly higher in the >6-month group (P < 0.001). Waist-hip ratio did not differ significantly between the groups.

CONCLUSION

Longer duration of yoga practice was associated with more beneficial anthropometric, cardiovascular, and respiratory parameters among healthy adults. Future longitudinal studies using standardized yoga protocols are warranted to further clarify the relationship between yoga practice duration and physiological and cardiopulmonary outcomes.