Aerobic vs. Aerobic + Yoga Exercise for Obesity

Overseen By John M Jakicic, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Kansas Medical Center

Must not be taking: Anti-obesity medications

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Bariatric surgery, Cardiovascular, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 9

Duration: 12 months

290 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether adding yoga to a weight loss program with aerobic exercise aids in greater weight loss and improves other health factors. It compares two groups: one engaging in aerobic exercises like brisk walking and another combining aerobic exercises with yoga (Aerobic + Yoga Exercise). The trial examines changes in weight, fitness, muscle strength, stress, mood, and more. It suits adults with a BMI of at least 25 who are not currently active in exercise or yoga. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to explore the benefits of combining yoga with aerobic exercise for enhanced health outcomes.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you are on anti-obesity medication, you cannot participate in the trial.

What prior data suggests that this exercise program is safe for weight loss?

Research has shown that both aerobic exercise and yoga are generally safe for most people. In a study with 60 overweight and obese individuals, both exercise types led to positive changes, such as smaller waistlines and improved body shape, without any serious side effects. Yoga is particularly known for being gentle and easy to adapt, making it kind to the body.

The trial available for participation tests a combination of aerobic exercise and yoga, as well as aerobic exercise alone. These activities are usually well-tolerated and rarely cause harm. The trial does not involve testing a new drug or any invasive treatment, which typically means it carries less risk. Participants will engage in regular physical activities, similar to those in many fitness programs. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the trial comparing aerobic exercise alone to a combination of aerobic exercise and yoga for managing obesity. Unlike standard treatments that often focus solely on diet changes and aerobic exercise, this approach integrates yoga, which can enhance flexibility, reduce stress, and promote mindfulness alongside physical activity. By combining yoga with aerobic exercise, this method could potentially offer a more holistic approach to weight loss, addressing both physical and mental health aspects. This comprehensive strategy might not only aid in weight reduction but also improve overall well-being, making it an intriguing option for those struggling with obesity.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for obesity?

Research has shown that both aerobic exercise and yoga aid in weight loss and improve body shape. In this trial, one group of participants will engage in aerobic exercise alone, while another group will combine aerobic exercise with yoga. A study of 60 overweight and obese individuals found that both yoga and aerobic exercise significantly reduced waist size and the waist-to-hip ratio. This finding suggests that adding yoga to an aerobic exercise routine might enhance these benefits. Yoga improves flexibility, strength, and mental well-being, which can also support weight management. Therefore, combining yoga with aerobic exercise could lead to better overall health compared to aerobic exercise alone. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

John M. Jakicic, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Kansas Medical Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults with overweight or obesity who want to lose weight. Participants will join a 12-month behavioral weight loss program, which includes dieting, exercise sessions, and health monitoring. They must be willing to reduce food intake, attend regular sessions at the research center, and keep track of their eating and activity.

Inclusion Criteria

I can understand and agree to the study's terms on my own.

Participants must have the ability to provide clearance from their primary care physician to engage in the diet and physical activity components of the weight loss intervention.

I am eligible regardless of my gender or ethnicity.

Exclusion Criteria

Report plans to relocate to a location not accessible to the study site or having employment, personal, or travel commitments that prohibit attendance at scheduled intervention sessions or assessments.

I have had weight loss surgery in the past.

Report moderate-to-vigorous exercise on more than 3 days/week or a total of more than 60 min/week over the past 3 months.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in a 12-month behavioral weight loss program with either aerobic exercise or aerobic exercise plus yoga, including weekly sessions for the first 6 months and bi-weekly sessions for the remaining 6 months.

12 months

Weekly visits for 6 months, then bi-weekly visits for 6 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, with measurements taken at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months.

12 months

Visits at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Aerobic + Yoga Exercise

Trial Overview

The study compares two approaches: one group does aerobic exercise only while the other combines aerobic with yoga as part of their weight loss program. It looks at differences in weight loss, physical activity levels, body composition changes, fitness improvements including muscle strength and cardiorespiratory function, mood and stress levels, sleep quality, mindfulness practices and dietary behaviors.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Behavioral Weight Loss Plus Aerobic Physical Activity and Yoga Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

The intervention is a 12-month behavioral intervention focused on modifying eating behaviors and physical activity. Participants will be provided weekly group-based behavioral session for months 1-6, with these sessions being offered twice per month during months 7-12. Participants will be instructed to self-monitor their weight, eating behaviors, and physical activity. A reduced energy diet ranging from 1200-2100 kilocalories per day will be recommended for participants. Physical activity will be recommended in the form of aerobic types of activity such as brisk walking combined with yoga. Aerobic activity will progress from an initial amount of 60 minutes per week to 180 minutes per week across the initial 6 months of the intervention, with this level continuing to be recommended between months 7-12. Yoga will progress from 40 minutes per week to 120 minutes per week across the initial 6 months of the intervention, with this level continuing to be recommended between months 7-12.

Group II: Behavioral Weight Loss Plus Aerobic Physical Activity Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

The intervention is a 12-month behavioral intervention focused on modifying eating behaviors and physical activity. Participants will be provided weekly group-based behavioral session for months 1-6, with these sessions being offered twice per month during months 7-12. Participants will be instructed to self-monitor their weight, eating behaviors, and physical activity. A reduced energy diet ranging from 1200-2100 kilocalories per day will be recommended for participants. Physical activity will be recommended in the form of aerobic types of activity such as brisk walking and will progress from an initial amount of 100 minutes per week to 300 minutes per week across the initial 6 months of the intervention, with this level of physical activity continuing to be recommended between months 7-12.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Kansas Medical Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

527

Recruited

181,000+

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

Collaborator

Trials

2,513

Recruited

4,366,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Yoga interventions can lead to significant improvements in obesity-related outcomes such as BMI, body weight, and waist circumference, suggesting its potential as a weight loss tool.

Qualitative interviews revealed that participants experienced not only physical changes but also psychological benefits and a shift towards healthier eating, highlighting the importance of community support in the weight loss journey through yoga.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Different Weight Loss Experience: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Behavioral, Physical, and Psychosocial Changes Associated with Yoga That Promote Weight Loss. Ross, A., Brooks, A., Touchton-Leonard, K., et al.[2020]

A systematic review of 94 randomized controlled trials involving 8,430 participants found that yoga is as safe as usual care and exercise, with no significant differences in serious adverse events or dropouts due to adverse events.

While yoga had a higher occurrence of nonserious adverse events compared to psychological or educational interventions, the overall safety profile suggests that it is a viable therapeutic option, highlighting the need for better reporting of safety data in future studies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Safety of Yoga: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Cramer, H., Ward, L., Saper, R., et al.[2018]

Participants in yoga sessions achieved moderate-intensity aerobic activity for an average of 32.75% of the class duration, indicating that yoga can contribute to meeting the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.

The study found that factors like tempo and temperature did not significantly affect the intensity of the yoga sessions, suggesting that both Hatha and Vinyasa yoga classes can effectively help adults and older adults fulfill their aerobic activity requirements.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Temperature and Tempo: Evaluating How Much Time in a Typical Community-Based Yoga Class Is Moderate-Intensity Aerobic Activity. Dysart, A., Harden, SM.[2023]

In a study involving 73 patients with severe obesity, both moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) and a combined high-intensity interval training with MICT (HIIT/MICT) program led to significant improvements in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after 24 weeks, with no significant difference between the two exercise intensities.

Both exercise programs resulted in moderate improvements in various quality of life measures, indicating that the benefits of exercise on health may not depend on the intensity of the workout.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of aerobic exercise intensity on health-related quality of life in severe obesity: a randomized controlled trial. Berge, J., Hjelmesæth, J., Kolotkin, RL., et al.[2022]

A 6-month pilot study with 14 overweight or obese sedentary adults showed that a yoga program can significantly increase physical activity levels over time, suggesting it may help individuals transition to regular exercise.

Participants using a self-learning DVD method reported higher physical activity levels compared to those receiving face-to-face instruction, particularly at the 4-month mark, indicating that self-guided approaches may be effective for this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Yoga, as a transitional platform to more active lifestyle: a 6-month pilot study in the USA. Yang, K., James, KA.[2018]

In a study of 60 overweight and obese individuals, both yoga and aerobic exercise led to significant reductions in waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, and body mass index (BMI) after 6 weeks of intervention.

Yoga asanas were found to be more effective than aerobic exercise in improving these measurements, highlighting yoga as a beneficial option for weight management in overweight individuals.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparison of Effect of Yoga versus Aerobic Exercise on Waist Circumference, Waist-Hip Ratio and Body Mass Index in Overweight and Obese Adult Individuals. [2022]

In a randomized controlled trial involving 31 morbidly obese participants, both aerobic training (AT) and resistance training (RT) significantly improved health-related fitness measures compared to a control group, including enhancements in walking distance, skin-fold thickness, and psychological factors like self-efficacy.

RT showed additional benefits over the control group in reducing BMI and waist circumference, indicating that while both exercise types are effective, resistance training may offer extra advantages in certain anthropometric measures.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The efficacy of 12 weeks supervised exercise in obesity management. Herring, LY., Wagstaff, C., Scott, A.[2015]

A short-term yoga-based lifestyle intervention significantly improved health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in overweight and obese individuals, with positive changes observed in physical, psychological, and environmental domains after just 10 days.

Participants also experienced notable reductions in body weight, BMI, and various health markers such as blood pressure and cholesterol levels, indicating both efficacy and potential health benefits of the intervention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of a Short-Term Yoga-Based Lifestyle Intervention on Health-Related Quality of Life in Overweight and Obese Subjects. Yadav, R., Yadav, RK., Pandey, RM., et al.[2022]

A 12-week study involving 82 physically inactive older adults showed that both yoga and aerobic exercise significantly improved wellbeing compared to a wait-list control group, with medium to large effect sizes.

Yoga resulted in fewer adverse events (22% injury rate) compared to aerobic exercise (37% injury rate), suggesting it may be a safer option for older adults looking to enhance their wellbeing.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of yoga and aerobic exercise on wellbeing in physically inactive older adults: Randomized controlled trial (FitForAge). Welford, P., Östh, J., Hoy, S., et al.[2022]

In a study of 596 Asian Indian obese adults, those with at least one month of yoga experience reported significantly better quality of life in areas such as enjoyment of physical activities, work ability, self-esteem, and social satisfaction compared to those who had never practiced yoga.

The findings suggest that incorporating yoga into weight management programs may enhance quality of life, which is crucial for sustained weight loss efforts in individuals with obesity.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Quality of Life in Yoga Experienced and Yoga Naïve Asian Indian Adults with Obesity. Telles, S., Sharma, SK., Singh, A., et al.[2020]

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