Age-related changes in cardiovascular system, autonomic functions, and levels of BDNF of healthy active males: role of yogic practice

Abstract

Aging is associated with decline in cardiovascular, autonomic function, and brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF). Reports are scanty regarding whether yoga can improve age-related degenerative changes in healthy active men. This study is designed to appraise the role of yoga in improving age-related degenerative changes in cardiometabolic risk profile, autonomic function, stress, and BDNF. Healthy active males of three age groups (20-29, 30-39, and 40-49 years) were randomly assigned to practice yoga daily 1 h for 3 months. Significantly higher values of heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), load in heart (DoP), myocardial oxygen consumption (RPP), and total cholesterol (TC) were noted in senior age group. HR, BP, DoP, RPP, and TC decreased significantly following yogic practice. High frequency (HF), total power (TP), all time domain variables of heart rate variability (HRV), and skin conductance (SC) were significantly decreased with advancement of age. HF, TP, and time domain parameters of HRV and SC increased significantly following yogic practice. Higher levels of catecholamines and low frequency (LF) power of HRV was noted with advancement of age. Levels of catecholamines and LF significantly decreased following yogic practice. Cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) level raised in senior age group. BDNF, serotonin, and dopamine were low in higher age group. Significant decrement of cortisol; ACTH; and increment in serotonin, dopamine, and BDNF was noted following yogic practice. This study revealed that yogic practices might help in the prevention of age-related degeneration by changing cardiometabolic risk factors, autonomic function, and BDNF in healthy male.

Effects of an 8-week yoga program on sustained attention and discrimination function in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

“…Like physical activity, yoga has been found to have beneficial impacts on neurological and physiological activity and behavior in a range of populations. The reported benefits of yoga include increased slow-frequency brain wave activity (Arambula et al, 2001); favorable profiles on heart rate (HR) variability, depression, perceived stress, and superior aerobic fitness (Satin, Linden & Millman, 2014); and significant decrement of cortisol and increment in brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF), serotonin, and dopamine (Pal et al, 2014). In essence, the practice of yoga exercise elicits reduced activation of the sympathetic nervous system and increased activation of the parasympathetic nervous system resulting in a sense of equilibrium into the body and mind, and increased emotional self-regulation (Streeter et al, 2012).…”

Yoga: Can It Be Integrated with Treatment of Neuropathic Pain

“…This study aimed to explore the practice of regular yoga as one of the strategies for the treating anxiety-and depression-related disorders. Furthermore, another study revealed that yogic practice daily for 1 h for a period of 3 months helps in lowering ACTH and cortisol, while elevating serotonin, dopamine, and BDNF in healthy active men [76] .…”

Aging-Related Changes of the Cardiovascular System

“…The main cardiovascular system changes during aging decreased heart rate and adrenergic modulation of cardiac function [19]. While (Pal et al, [20] said that changes in rhythm of the heart places the aging population at increased risk.…”

“…The veins walls also thickened with age due to an increased in deposition of connective tissue and calcium leading to development of veins varicoses. Due to veins blood pressure was low these alterations are not significant for function of CVS but may be of performing a role in the occurrence of phlebitis and formation of thrombus [20]. cardiovascular homeostasis may be affected by age through increased velocity of pulse wave and ejection time prolongation enhancing summation of arterial waves either antegrade or retrograde, leading to to increase of both pulse and systolic blood pressures in aging.…”