1Additional Professor, Department of Physiology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Pondicherry
2Professor, and Head, Department of Yoga, Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University, Chennai
3Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Pondicherry
4Ph. D. Scholar, Department of Physiology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Pondicherry
Online published on 16 July, 2018.
Reduced physical activity increases metabolic and cardiovascular risks. Yoga is an ancient science which has been shown to revitalize physiological and psychological functions. In this study, we aimed to assess twelve-week yoga intervention in sedentary males.
50 sedentary men in the age group of 25–45 years were recruited for our study. They were randomly divided into control group (n=25) and study group (n=25). Yoga intervention was given to study group participants for 12 weeks. Heart rate variability (HRV) and blood pressure were recorded before and after intervention (Yoga therapy).
The groups were similar in age and body mass index. We observed no baseline difference in HRV and blood pressure between the groups. However, there was a significant improvement in HRV in study group participants after yoga intervention.
Short-term yoga practice (12 weeks) can improve overall cardiovascular health by improving HRV in sedentary males.
Reaction time, Yoga therapy, Heart rate variability, Blood pressure
