Heart rate variability changes during and after the practice of bhramari pranayama

Abstract

Background:Yoga is an ancient Indian science as well as the way of life. Pranayama is one of the most important yogic practices. Bhramari pranayama was shown to produce a reduction in blood pressure after the practice and thus reported to produce parasympathetic activity. However, there are no known studies reported the heart rate variability (HRV) changes either during or after the practice of Bhramari. Hence, this study aims at evaluating the HRV changes during and after the practice.Materials and Methods:Sixteen (9 males, 7 females) healthy volunteers with the mean ± standard deviation age of 23.50 ± 3.01 years were recruited. All the subjects performed Bhramari pranayama for the duration of 5 min. Assessments were taken before, during, and immediately after the practice of pranayama. Statistical analysis was performed using students paired samples t-test, Wilcoxon signed-ranks test and repeated measures of analysis of variance and Post-hoc analysis with Bonferroni adjustment for multiple comparisons.Results:Results of this study showed a significant increase in HR and low frequency spectrum of HRV and a significant reduction in high frequency spectrum of HRV during the practice of Bhramari which revert to normal after the practice.Conclusion:Results of this study suggests that there might be a parasympathetic withdrawal during the practice of Bhramari. However, further studies are required to warrant the findings of this study.

Effects of yogic breath regulation: A narrative review of scientific evidence

“…A recent study using HRV demonstrated parasympathetic withdrawal during the practice of Bhramari Pranayama , which reverted back to normalcy after the completion of practice [39]. Medical students showed reduced stress levels following practice of a combination of Pranayama practices for 1 h a day, 5 days per week for 2 months.…”

Effect of Bhramari Pranayama on the Acoustic and Aerodynamic Parameters of Voice in Normophonic Females

“…This indicates that the practice of bhramari pranayama improved the respiratory phonatory coordination in the selected females and also that with extensive practice one can achieve breath control. Regular practice of pranayama including bhramari pranayama is reported to be efficient in improving the lung functions in pathological cases like traumatic spinal cord injury [ 8 , 9 , 26 – 28 ].…”

“…Pranayama, being one of the eight limbs of yoga, deals with the correct breathing pattern and many exercises related to breath [ 1 – 4 ]. It regulates the vital forces of the body and helps in curing lung related and voice related disorders [ 5 – 9 ].…”

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“…Participation of students in physical activity on a regular basis is one of the basic factors in maintaining proper health in modern society. Due to a sedentary lifestyle leading many health related issues, the prevalence of physical inactivity among college students calls for immediate action (Nguyen-Michel et al, 2006). Physical activity including yoga is a major key element in health improvements.…”