1Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna
2Professor & Former HOD, Physiology, LHMC, New Delhi
3Director Professor & HOD, Physiology, VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi
4Director Professor & HOD Physiology, L.H.M.C & Associated Hospitals, New Delhi
5Professor & HOD Physiology, IGIMS Medical College, Patna
6Assistant Professor, IGIMS Medical College, Patna
7Senior Resident, IGIMS Medical College, Patna
8Associate Professor, IGIMS Medical College, Patna
Online published on 19 June, 2015.
To study the effect of short term practice (one week) of Nadishodhan Pranayama, a slow breathing exercise on parasympathetic and sympathetic reactivity test in young healthy females.
Ist year MBBS female medical students in the age group of 17–22 years were chosen for the study. Group 1 Students practiced Pranayama for 20 minutes. The subjects were taught “Nadishodhan Pranayama” (alternate nostril breathing). Parasympathetic reactivity test were done using E: I ratio, 30:15 ratio and Sympathetic reactivity test was assessed using Blood pressure response to sustained Handgrip. All the assessment was done at the start of the study and at the end of one week's session of Pranayama. Group 2 students acted as control.
We observed an increase in E: I ratio and 30:15 ratio indicating increase in the parasympathetic activity. Increase in the DBP in response to the Isometric exercise was found to be decreased indicating a decrease in the Sympathetic activity.
Short term Practice of Nadishodhan Pranayama leads to decrease in sympathetic activity and increase in parasympathetic activity.
Pranayama, Parasympathetic Reactivity test, Sympathetic Reactivity test, Autonomic function
