Physical inactivity is now a leading global risk factor for non-communicable diseases. At MDRF, the Department of Physical Activity & Yoga brings science, community engagement, and ancient wisdom together to build a healthier India. We promote movement as medicine and yoga as a powerful lifestyle science for the prevention and management of diabetes and related metabolic disorders.
The Department of Physical Activity & Yoga Research at the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF) is dedicated to advancing scientific knowledge on the role of physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and yoga in the prevention and management of diabetes and related metabolic disorders. The department focuses on generating high-quality, culturally relevant evidence to better understand how lifestyle practices influence both physical and mental health. By developing validated assessment tools, designing community-based interventions, and working closely with schools, workplaces, urban planners, and policymakers, the department aims to create sustainable solutions that promote active living across diverse Indian populations.
In addition to research, the department actively engages in capacity building through awareness programmes, training initiatives, and collaborative projects that empower individuals and communities to adopt healthier lifestyles. Its work integrates traditional practices such as yoga with modern scientific approaches, bridging holistic wellness with evidence-based medicine.
The department is led by Dr R. M. Anjana, a distinguished clinician–scientist, diabetologist, and public health leader with extensive expertise in lifestyle medicine, physical activity research, and diabetes prevention. As the Managing Director of Dr Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre and Vice-President of MDRF, she has played a pivotal role in shaping national and international research in diabetes prevention, large-scale epidemiology, and lifestyle-based interventions. Dr Anjana has been instrumental in pioneering studies on physical activity patterns across India, including the landmark ICMR–INDIAB study, and has contributed significantly to the development of India-specific tools for assessing physical activity and sedentary behaviour.
Under her leadership, the Department of Physical Activity & Yoga Research continues to broaden its scientific impact, fostering innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and active community engagement. The department remains committed to promoting healthier living and reducing the growing burden of diabetes throughout the nation.
Dr. R. M. Anjana
Dr. R. Guha Pradeepa
Dr. Ranjani Harish
Flagship Focus Areas
ACTIV Cities & Schools
Studying how city design, neighbourhood safety, transport, and school spaces influence physical activity and lifestyle patterns among children, teens and adults.
Indian-Specific Measurement Tools
Creators of MPAQ (MDRF Physical Activity Questionnaire) — India’s most reliable and culturally relevant tool to measure activity across work, commuting, home and leisure domains.
Yoga for Metabolic Wellness
Evaluating and implementing yoga-based programs that improve metabolic health, reduce stress, enhance cognition, and support diabetes prevention and management.
Community & Policy Impact
Working with organizations, governments and global networks to develop scalable models that make active living a public health priority.
THANDAV
THANDAV stands for Taking High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and Dance to Adolescent girls and women for Victory over NCDs.
THANDAV is a 10-min HIIT routine consisting of 4 loops including a 2 minutes high (80-90% of max Hear Rate (HR) ) to 30 seconds low (50-60% of max HR).
Each 10-min routine consists of a Bollywood / Reginal language / Indi pop / English film / Folk songs choreographed to high intensity (so a single routine will have 4 of the latest hits). The movements are choreographed in a simple and repetitive manner so that they can be done in a loop without much stress.
Why It Matters
- Modern India faces an epidemic of sedentary lifestyles + diabetes + obesity (“diabesity”).
- Movement and yoga are safe, low-cost, scalable solutions for prevention and long-term care.
- Our work bridges science, culture and real-world policy to build a healthy, active future.
Join the Movement
Together, we can create communities, campuses and cities where being active is effortless and yoga is a way of life.Let’s build an Active, Aware and Mindful India.
Interested in collaborations or wellness initiatives?