Effect of Balasana on cardiac parameters among healthy medical students

Abstract

Background: Among many professional courses, MBBS found to be difficult to complete, where students are busy with studies throughout the course. They have less chances of relaxation. Sage Patanjali explained two limbs of Ashtanga yoga, Asanas, and Pranayama that integrate individual's mind and body. Effects of yoga practice include low blood pressure and heart rate, boost circulation and muscle tone. Introduction of stress relieving programs already started in many medical colleges worldwide. In yoga, there are a set of postures to do. If medical students are asked to do whole Asanas, it will be inconvenient for them to practice every day due to paucity of time. The present study focuses exclusively on one Asana that can be incorporated as a day-to-day activity in medical student's busy schedule. Balasana is a simple relaxation position. Combined with proper regulation of breath balasana is supposed to soothe the mind. Aims and Objectives: To study effect of balasana on cardiac parameters among healthy medical students. To compare the effect of balasana among study and control groups. Materials and Methods: Study included 100 medical students, who were selected by volunteer participation and divided into study group (those who do only balasana) and control group (those who lead sedentary life without doing any Asanas). Cardiac parameters such as blood pressure and pulse rate were measured. Results: It was found that there is a significant decrease in cardiovascular parameters such as pulse rate, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure. Conclusion: Results of our study showed that there is a significant reduction in cardiovascular parameters among the balasana group.

The psychosomatic impact of Yoga in medical education: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“… Proposes improvement in stress management (not supported by results) Gopal et al, 2011 [ 30 ] India 60 female medical students (17–20 years) 35 mins/day, 12 weeks Yoga decreases physiological, autonomic, endocrine and psychological effects of examination stress. K et al, 2017 [ 31 ] India 100 med students (18.16 ± 0.38 years) 90 Days Yoga reduces HR, SBP and DBP Bharati, 2016 [ 32 ] India 58 female med student 1 h/day, 5 day/week, 3 months Yoga reduces PMS symptoms better compared to calcium carbonate Lakshmi and Vaithianathan, 2022 [ 33 ] India 30 (18–25 years) 12 weeks Yoga significantly decreases HR and improved aggression Chhetri et al, 2020 [ 34 ] India 52 male med student (20 Yoga; 20 meditation) 20 mins No significant change in cardiovascular parameters between Yoga and Meditation groups. Thirupathi and K, 2016 [ 35 ] India 60 male med students 45 min daily for 10 weeks Yoga improves lung function Mehta et al, 2018 [ 36 ] India 36 med students 1h daily for 4 weeks Yoga significantly lowers SBP and DBP Monson et al, 2017 [ 37 ] USA 77 Dental students 60 min biweekly for 13 weeks Yoga reduces pain Hc et al, 2015 [ 38 ] …”