The Impact of Exercise Methods on Human Body Functions and Metabolism

This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the differential impacts of yoga and walking exercise training on weight-related body fat and metabolic biomarkers in women over an 8-month period. The study will recruit women aged 18-65 years, who will be randomly assigned to either a yoga group or a walking group.

Yoga Group: Participants in the yoga group will attend 90-minute yoga sessions, 3 times per week.

Walking Group: Participants in the walking group will engage in one-hour fast-paced walking sessions, 6 times per week.

Outcome Measures: Physical and metabolic markers will be assessed at baseline and after 8 months of exercise intervention. The primary outcomes will include changes in body weight, BMI, visceral fat, and basal metabolism. Metabolic biomarkers such as serum leptin, glucose, total cholesterol (TC), apolipoprotein A (APOA), and apolipoprotein B (APOB) will also be measured.

Participants will be monitored for adherence to the exercise protocol and any adverse events throughout the study. Data will be collected during the intervention, and analyzed to determine the differential effects of yoga and walking on the measured outcomes.

The study aims to provide insights into the relative benefits of yoga and walking exercise regimens on women's health, particularly in terms of body composition and metabolic health, thereby informing future exercise recommendations and health interventions.

Inclusion criteria

Female participants aged 18-65 years； Willing and able to participate in an 8-month exercise program； Generally healthy with no contraindications to physical activity； Ability to provide informed consent

Exclusion criteria

Current participation in a structured exercise program； Known cardiovascular, respiratory, or metabolic disorders that contraindicate exercise； Pregnancy or planning to become pregnant during the study period； Use of medications affecting metabolism or physical activity levels； Any other condition that, in the opinion of the investigators, would make participation unsafe or not feasible