Background: Studies have emphasized on the functional adaptations of respiratory system after exercise, however, the type of exercise can appear to have different consequences. Yoga is considered as an exercise to improve the physical, psychological, and social health. The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of eight weeks yoga practice on changes in respiratory gases and O₂ pulse in active young women.

Materials and methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 20 young women were randomly divided into yoga and control groups. Before starting the yoga training courses, the respiratory gases were measured with gas analyzer. After eight weeks of yoga training courses that containing yoga practices and pranayama, the respiratory gases were measured again. Data was analyzed by paired sample t-test and independent t-test with SPSS software at the confidence level of p<0.05.

Results: At the end of the practice, a significant decrease was observed in respiratory exchange ratio, whereas a significant increase was found in minute ventilation, oxygen consumption, ventilator equivalent for carbon dioxide, oxygen consumption at anaerobic threshold, and maximum oxygen uptake (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that eight-week yoga delays anaerobic threshold and fatigue with changes in metabolic parameters of the respiratory system, and likely these practices can be used to improve the athletes’ performance in sports activities.