title: A comparative controlled trial comparing the effects of yoga and walking for overweight and obese adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Walking and yoga have been independently evaluated for weight control; however, there are very few studies comparing the 2 with randomization.
  
  
  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.
authors.affiliation: Patanjali Research Foundation, Haridwar, India.
authors.forename: Shirley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Telles
authors.affiliation: Patanjali Research Foundation, Haridwar, India.
authors.forename: Sachin Kr
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Patanjali Research Foundation, Haridwar, India.
authors.forename: Arti
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yadav
authors.affiliation: Patanjali Research Foundation, Haridwar, India.
authors.forename: Nilkamal
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Patanjali Research Foundation, Haridwar, India.
authors.forename: Acharya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Balkrishna
mesh_terms: D054392:Adipokines / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000886:Anthropometry; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D016138:Walking; D015013:Yoga
chemical_list: D054392:Adipokines; D008055:Lipids