Blood lipids and anthropometric parameters in healthy subjects practicing yoga or resistance training in leisure time. What matters: type or intensity of physical activity?

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess effects of yoga and resistance trainings on blood lipids and anthropometric parameters in people without cardiovascular diseases.

Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study, which included 167 subjects, was conducted. Subjects regularly practicing yoga or resistance training not less than 2 times a week for a period more than one year were included in the study. Yoga trainings were defined as yoga asanas and resistance trainings were defined as any exercise that causes the muscles to contract against an external resistance. Anthropometric parameters, blood lipids and glucose, uric acid were assessed. We used International Questionnaire on long Physical Activity to assess physical activity and sedentary time. SPSS 17.0 was used to perform statistical analysis.

Results: There were no significant differences between "yoga training" and "resistance training" groups in general physical activity, moderate physical activity and sitting time in the whole group. HDL-cholesterol was significantly higher in "yoga training" compared to "resistance training" group and control group (1,65±0,37 mmol/l; 1,43±0,21 mmol/l and 1,34±0,22, pyoga-resistance training=0,001; pyoga-control=0,0001; presistance training-control= p2-3=0,037). LDL cholesterol was the lowest in subjects that had the highest level of vigorous physical activity.

Conclusions: People practicing yoga and resistance training had more favorable blood lipid profile and anthropometric parameters than control group. "Yoga training" had more pronounced positive effect on HDL cholesterol. Level of LDL cholesterol was more likely to be associated with intensity of physical activity than with type of physical activity.

Keywords: blood lipids; resistance training; yoga.