Immediate Effects of Abdominal Exercises on Haemodynamic Responses in Healthy Young Adults-An Experimental Study

Exercise is an incredibly important part of a healthy person's life. Physical exercise requires rapid and complex physiological adaptation, particularly by the autonomic nervous system. Abdominal muscles have many important functions, including in breathing, coughing, sneezing, and maintaining posture. A large percent of the population has weak abdominal muscles.

The purpose of this study is to examine the immediate effects of abdominal exercises on hemodynamic responses such as Blood pressure, Pulse rate and Mean arterial pressure in healthy young adults.

200 participants were recruited based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Demographic data were collected prior to the exercises. Outcome measurements such as Systolic and Diastolic blood pressure, Pulse rate and Mean arterial pressure of each participant was recorded before, during and after the performance of the abdominal exercises like Straight partial sit-up (SPSU), Oblique partial sit-up (OPSU) consisted of 3 sets of 15 repetitionsand Lying hip flexion (LHF) consisted of three sets of 20 repetitions(10 repetitions each side) in lying down position.

Statistically significant difference was seen in mean SBP, PRwhile comparing between pre to during and pre to post exercises. Also there was statistically significant difference seen in mean MAP comparing between pre to post exercises. Whereas in the mean DBP no significant difference wasseen throughout the exercises.

Abdominal exercises would be clinically useful to determine thecardiac autonomic behavior. Thus, abdominal exercises can be used as a part of conditioning and rehabilitation purpose.