title: Comparative Assessment of the Effects of Hatha Yoga and Physical Exercise on Biochemical Functions in Perimenopausal Women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Menopause is a transitional phase in which some women experience discomfort, while others may exhibit variety of symptoms. The power of yoga therapy in relieving stress, enhancing health, improving fitness and managing symptoms of a variety of disorders is remarkable.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The current study was designed to study the effect of Hatha yoga therapy and regular physical exercise on the Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS), Glycated Haemoglobin (GHB), Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), serum cortisol and total plasma thiol levels in perimenopausal women.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 216 women with perimenopausal symptoms, 111 in test group (Hatha yoga) and 105 in control group (physical exercise). The duration of intervention was 45 minutes every day for 12 weeks. Blood samples were collected in the pre and post intervention period. Statistical significance was defined as p<0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  FBS and GHB (p≤0.05) showed a significant decrease after yoga therapy. Cortisol levels significantly (p≤0.05) increased in the post intervention period in the control group. However, it is maintained in the test group between the two time periods. The total plasma thiols level showed a rise in the post intervention period, significant rise (p≤0.001) in control group but not significant in the test group. The TSH levels were not altered in any group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is concluded that exercise helps in maintaining the sugar levels but calming effects of yoga practice is important in relieving stress and enhancing health in perimenopausal women.
authors.affiliation: Lecturer, Department of Biochemistry, Melaka Manipal Medical College (Manipal Campus), Manipal University , Manipal, India .
authors.forename: Abhishek
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chaturvedi
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of Yoga, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University , Manipal, India .
authors.forename: Gayathry
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nayak
authors.affiliation: Lecturer, Department of Biochemistry, Melaka Manipal Medical College (Manipal Campus), Manipal University , Manipal, India .
authors.forename: Akshatha Ganesh
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Nayak
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University , Manipal, India .
authors.forename: Anjali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rao
keywords: Calming effect; Lifestyle; Relaxation; Stress; Women’s health