Comparative immediate effect of different yoga asanas on heart rate and blood pressure in healthy young volunteers

Abstract

Introduction:This study planned to compare immediate cardiovascular effects of different yoga asanas in healthy young volunteers.Materials and Methods:Heart rate (HR), systolic pressure (SP), and diastolic pressure (DP), blood pressure (BP), were recorded using the non invasive blood pressure (NIBP) apparatus in 22 healthy young subjects, before and after the performance of Dhanurasana (DA), Vakrasana (VA) (both sides), Janusirasasana (JSA) (both sides), Matsyasana and Shavasana for 30 s. HR and BP were further recorded during supine recovery at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 min. A repeated measure of ANOVA was used for statistical analysis.Results:There were significant changes in HR and BP both immediately after the Asanas as well as during the recovery period. Overall comparisons of ∆% changes immediately after the performance of the Asanas revealed significant differences with regard to HR that increased significantly after DA. In the recovery phase, there were significant intergroup differences from 2 min onward in both SP and DP. The decrease of SP after VA (right side) (VA-R) was significantly greater than Shavasana (4th, 6th, and 8th min) and JSA (left side) (JSA-L) at 6th and 8th min. DP decreased significantly after performing JSA-L compared to VA-R at the 6th and 8th min.Discussion:The cardiovascular changes immediately after the Asanas and during the recovery phase reveal inherent differences between the selected postures. The rise of HR in DA may be attributed to increased sympathetic response due to the relative difficulty of the posture as well as abdominal compression occurring in it. The effect of supine relaxation is more pronounced after the performance of the Asanas as compared to mere relaxation in Shavasana. This may be attributed to a normalization and resultant homeostatic effect occurring due to a greater, healthier de-activation of the autonomic nervous system occurring towing to the presence of prior activation. There were also subtle differences between the right sided and left sided performance of VA and JSA that may be occurring due to the different internal structures being either compressed or relaxed on either side.Conclusion:Our study provides initial evidence of differential cardiovascular effects of Asanas and subtle differences between right and left sided performance. Further, cardiovascular recovery is greater after the performance of the Asanas as compared to shavasan; thus, implying a better response when effort precedes relaxation.

A Status Report on Autonomic Nervous System: the Indian Research Scenario during the Last Five Years

“…Comparative cardiovascular effects of different yoga Asanas (Dhanurasana, Vakrasana, Janusirasasana, Matsyasana and Shavasana) in healthy young volunteers has been reported elsewhere (Bhavanani et al, 2014). This study also provided initial evidence of differential cardiovascular effects of Asanas and subtle differences between right and left sided performance.…”

Yoga research review

“…This result is perhaps not surprising given that Kundalini yoga only involves lying down poses. As has been noted in a study on the specific effects of yoga poses, there were only significant changes in blood pressure immediately after the standing poses as opposed to the relaxation in the supine poses [75]. The average of 10 mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure and 8 mmHg in diastolic blood pressure has been attributed to increased parasympathetic activity and decreased sympathetic activity by increased GABA activity, counteracting the excessive activity of the sympathetic nervous system that has been associated with hypertension [76].…”

Effects of Yoga on Stress, Stress Adaption, and Heart Rate Variability Among Mental Health Professionals—A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…If work‐related stress and stress adaptation of mental health professionals was better understood, more assistance could be provided to them to assist them in handling their stress, maintaining their enthusiasm, and engaging in their work. Yoga is a body–mind exercise which promotes physical, mental, and spiritual relaxation by way of Asanas (bodily positions of stretching, breathing and meditation; Bhavanani, Ramanathan, Balaji, & Pushpa, ). Through yoga practice, individuals may be able to work better in highly stressful situations (Louie ).…”