Effect of yogic asana on body mass index

Abstract

Background: It is already established that multiple intervention of yogic technique may improve physical fitness [1-8]. But there was no such randomized control trail on the effect of yogic asana alone and its impact on Body Mass Index. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of regular practice of yogic asana on Body Mass Index. Materials and Methods: Total 48 residential male students (12 + 1 years) were participated in this study. It was randomized into two equal groups as yoga group (n=24) and waitlist control group (n=24). Yoga group was regularly practiced only yogic asana for 1 to 1.5 hour per day, 6 days per week, for 12 weeks with a progressive training load method. The body mass index was assessed by measuring standing height and body weight. In the present study all the measurements were done at the baseline (before onset of training) after 6 and 12 weeks of asana practices. A repeated measure of ANOVA was used for analyzing the data. Simple percentage also calculated from the mean value to see the quantitative changes of the asana training. Results: After 12 weeks, yoga group showed a significant improvement in body mass index (7.01%) which may be due to increase in body weight. Conclusion: Yogic asana alone may elicit a positive improvement in the body mass index.