The role of yoga exercise as a therapy in reducing oxidative stress: a systematic review

Authors

  • Akhmad Syarif Universitas PGRI Palangkaraya
  • Kukuh Wurdianto Universitas PGRI Palangkaraya
  • Silvia Arianti
  • Baskoro Nugroho Putro Universitas Sebelas Maret
  • Junian Cahyanto Wibawa STKIP PGRI Trenggalek https://orcid.org/0009-0009-2597-5350
  • Novadri Ayubi Universitas Negeri Surabaya https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5196-6636
  • Muhammad Muhyi Universitas PGRI Adi Buana Surabaya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v69.116564

Keywords:

Physical exercise, yoga, malondialdehide, oxidative stress

Abstract

Background: Increased oxidative stress results from both exposure to and the body's generation of free radicals. It is well recognized that exercise lowers oxidative stress. Nevertheless, nothing is known about how yoga affects oxidative stress.

Research objectives: This study sought to ascertain how yoga practice affected the reduction of malondialdehide levels, which are an indicator of oxidative stress.

Methods: For this study, a number of journal databases, including Pubmed, Web of Science, and Science Direct, were searched. The study considered a number of factors, including studies conducted between 2015 and 2025 on yoga and malondialdehide in humans. The systematic review excluded articles that did not meet the inclusion criteria; for example, those that used animals not used in research. A total of 165 publications were found using databases from Web of Science, Science Direct, and Pubmed. The need for this systemic shift is discussed in ten carefully selected, peer-reviewed papers. Preferred Reporting Systematics and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) was used to create the standard operating procedure for this study.

Results: It is clear from the findings of this thorough investigation that yoga practice can lower malondialdehide levels in people.

Conclusion: Human malondialdehide levels have been demonstrated to decrease after yoga activity. So this can be a therapy to reduce free radical levels in the body.

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Published

2025-07-17

How to Cite

Syarif, A., Wurdianto, K., Arianti, S., Nugroho Putro, B., Cahyanto Wibawa, J., Ayubi, N., & Muhyi, M. (2025). The role of yoga exercise as a therapy in reducing oxidative stress: a systematic review. Retos, 69, 1152–1161. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v69.116564

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Section

Theoretical systematic reviews and/or meta-analysis