Yogic breathing in hypobaric environment: breathing exercising and its effect on hypobaric hypoxemia and heart rate at 3,650-m elevation

Abstract

High altitude sojourn is a risk factor for hypobaric hypoxemia and subsequent altitude sickness. The aim of this study was to analyze the ef-fect of new type of yogic breathing?Maheshwarananda’s new Modified Bhujangini Pranayama performed by active yoga practitioners?on the arterial haemoglobin saturation of oxygen (measured by the pulse oximetry - SpO2) and the heart rate compared to normal spontaneous resting breathing. A pilot prospective study was conducted in the Himalayas at an altitude of 3,650 m. We monitored SpO2 and pulse rate in 34 experienced yoga practitioners. Within the 3 measurement days at the altitude of 3,650 m, the mean value of SpO2 increased from 89.11± 4.78 to 93.26±4.44 (P<0.001) after the yogic breathing exercise. No significant changes were observed in pulse rate (P<0.230) measured before and after yogic breathing. The new Yogic breathing?Maheshwarananda’s Modified Bhujangini Pranayama?is increasing the arterial haemoglobin saturation compared to normal resting spontaneous breathing. The heart rate was not affected by this type of yogic breathing.

Physical and mental health at high altitude of individuals doing yogic practices

“…Percentage of AMS is higher in the lowlanders accompanied with high-altitude individuals as per previous studies. [25] Yogic practices such as asana and pranayama help in better acclimatization with prevention of high-altitude disease such as AMS, sleep disorders, and SpO2 have already been proven, [24,[26][27][28][29] there is a significant decrease in the AMS score of lowlanders 5.67 ± 3.33-1.67 ± 1.63 in our study justifying to the previous results that yogic practices helping in acclimatization and disease management at high altitude. In the prior studies, it has been observed that with altitude, there is a change in mood followed by depression, which makes the person irritable and quarrelsome with no pre-training [30] whereas when the participants are motivated and trained for long duration mission at high altitude then performance of individual is high, mood swing is less.…”

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

“…The interaction between chemoreceptors and the respiratory center is a vital feedback loop that ensures the body’s respiratory rate matches its metabolic demands and maintains blood gas levels within a narrow range. This regulatory mechanism helps ensure sufficient oxygen supply and efficient removal of CO 2 , contributing to overall respiratory homeostasis [ 98 ].…”