Effects of Yogic Practice on Metabolism and Antioxidant-Redox Status of Physically Active Males.
BACKGROUND
This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of yogic practice on resting metabolism and redox status.


METHODS
The study was conducted on 64 physically trained male volunteers selected randomly at the Air Force Academy. The yoga group (n = 34) practiced yogasana, pranayama, and meditation for 3 months (February-May 2011) and the control group (n = 30) performed physical training. Antioxidant variables in blood samples along with physiological parameters were estimated before and after 3 months.


RESULTS
No significant difference was noted between baseline data of the control group and yoga group. Reduced glutathione, vitamin C, and vitamin E; the ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione; and total antioxidant status were increased significantly following yogic practice. Activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione S-transferase, and glutathione reductase were significantly increased, whereas activity of glutathione peroxidase was significantly decreased following yogic practice. Oxidized glutathione decreased significantly following yogic practice. A nonsignificant decrease of hydroperoxides, protein carbonyl, malondialdehyde, and blood sugar was noted in the yoga group. Carbon dioxide elimination and peripheral oxygen saturation increased significantly following yogic practice. No significant changes were observed in the control group following 3 months of physical training.


CONCLUSIONS
Regular yogic practice can improve resting metabolism and redox status of the practitioner.
Centre for Advanced Research and Training in Yoga (CARTY), Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS), Timarpur, Delhi, India.
Rameswar
R
Pal
Som Nath
SN
Singh
Kaushik
K
Halder
Omveer Singh
OS
Tomer
Awadh Bihari
AB
Mishra
Mantu
M
Saha
D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019122:Meditation; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D015013:Yoga
D000975:Antioxidants