Effect of Yoga on Heart Rate Variability in Women with Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between yoga and autonomic nervous system in women with metabolic syndrome. METHODS: A randomized controlled study was performed in participants recruited from a public center for managing chronic diseases located in Gyeong‐gi Province. The 39 women participants diagnosed with metabolic syndrome were randomly assigned to the 12‐week yoga exercise group (n=22) or the wait‐listed control group (n=17). Biochemical laboratory tests and heart rate variability were measured before and after the 12‐week program. RESULTS: In post‐menopausal women, the low frequency power of frequency domain significantly decreased in the yoga exercise group compared to the control group (P=0.07). On the time domain of heart rate variability and metabolic syndrome components, there were no significant differences between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Sympathetic activity was decreased in post‐menopausal women with metabolic syndrome who practiced yoga. Our results suggest that yoga might be beneficial in improving the autonomic nervous system in post‐menopausal women with metabolic syndrome.