Randomised trial, 2013
Does yoga help reduce premenstrual weight gain and improve reaction time?
Women who did yoga for three menstrual cycles had significant decreases in premenstrual weight and faster reaction times compared to the control group. However, the study was small and only included young healthy women.
What they did
50 young women aged 17 to 21 were randomly divided into two groups of 25. The yoga group practiced 35-minute sessions 5 days a week for 3 menstrual cycles. The control group did no yoga. Body weight and auditory and visual reaction times were measured in premenstrual and postmenstrual phases.
What they found
The yoga group showed significant decreases in premenstrual body weight and in both auditory and visual reaction times. Yoga also improved performance in the postmenstrual phase by reducing reaction times.
What it means for you
Yoga appears to reduce premenstrual weight gain and improve physical response times. The study was small (25 in the yoga group) and only included young healthy women, so it is unclear if results apply to older women or those with health conditions.
25
women in yoga group
35
minutes per session
5
days per week
About the study
- Original title
- Effect of Yoga Regimen on Premenstrual Body Weight and Reaction Time in Young Healthy Females
- Authors
- Asha Gandhi, Sarita Kanojia, Ajay Kukreja et al.
- Journal
- International Journal of Physiology
- Year
- 2013
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 25
- What was tested
- Yoga exercises for 35 minutes, 5 days per week for 3 menstrual cycles
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.5958/j.2320-608x.1.2.022