G.A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial investigating the influence of Iyengar Yoga on biofunctional age and cardiovascular risk associated biomarker of postmenopausal women

Background Previous research has shown that women aged 45–54 experience a significantly faster rate of biological aging compared to the preceding or following decade. Exactly in this period of life women will experience the menopause. Menopause is defined as the last menstrual period in a women's life and is diagnosed retrospectively after 12 month of amenorrhea. The menopausal transition is associated with a reduced overall well-being. Practicing yoga has demonstrated beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk factors such as BMI, lipid profile, HbA1c, thus contributing to better overall well-being. Therefore, yoga may represent a promising intervention to support healthy aging in postmenopausal women and may positively influence cardiovascular-related biomarkers. Objective The primary objective of this study is to assess the effect of Iyengar Yoga on the biofunctional age (BFA) of postmenopausal women, assessed using the biofunctional status (BFS). The secondary objectives are to evaluate its impact on the frequency of hot flushes, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels, and oxidative stress. Methods This paper describes the study protocol of a monocentric, randomized, controlled, open-labeled, two-arm, interventional study conducted at the University Hospital of Bern, Switzerland. A total of 72 postmenopausal women will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. Participants in the intervention group will attend a 90-minute Iyengar yoga class once per week for 12 weeks, guided by a certified instructor. Additionally, they will perform two 45-minute home-based yoga sessions per week, including postures and relaxation techniques. The control group will not receive any intervention during this period. Conclusion This protocol describes a randomized controlled trial evaluating whether Iyengar Yoga can reduce the biofunctional age (BFA), calculated using the BFS, of postmenopausal women aged 45–54 years in 12 weeks. Furthermore, yoga practice may have a positive impact on cardiovascular risk factors and overall vitality. Clinical Trial registration The study has been registered at Clinicaltrials.gov (Identifier: NCT04705623) on December 30, 2020. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04705623