Long-Term Effects of Yoga Practice on Metabolic, Hormonal, and Anthropometric Parameters in Climacteric Women

Metabolic and hormonal disturbances are common during the climacteric period and contribute to an increased risk of chronic diseases. Yoga has emerged as a promising complementary approach to promote women's health during midlife; however, long-term evidence remains limited. This longitudinal, community-based controlled study evaluated the effects of regular yoga practice over 24 months on anthropometric, metabolic, and hormonal parameters in climacteric women. A total of 182 Brazilian women aged 40-65 were followed; participants who chose to engage in yoga formed the intervention group, while sedentary women served as controls. Data were collected at baseline and after 6, 12, and 24 months. After 24 months, the yoga group showed significant reductions in BMI (-2.24 kg/m²; p = 0.008) and body fat percentage (-4.29%; p = 0.008), as well as decreases in systolic (-11.4 mm Hg; p = 0.012) and diastolic blood pressure (-5.5 mm Hg; p = 0.044). Improvements were also observed in fasting glucose (-9.1 mg/dL; p = 0.024), QUICKI (+0.03; p = 0.046), HDL-c (+9.6 mg/dL; p = 0.012), and non-HDL-c (-23.4 mg/dL; p = 0.018). Estradiol levels increased by 24.4 pg/mL in the yoga group and were significantly higher than in controls at 24 months (+40.9 pg/mL; p < 0.001), suggesting an endocrine-modulating effect. These findings support yoga as a promising nonpharmacological strategy to promote metabolic and hormonal health during the climacteric phase.