Effect of Yoga Regimen on Premenstrual Body Weight and Reaction Time in Young Healthy Females

Abstract

The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of yoga practice, if any, on reducing premenstrual body weight and improving reaction time or motor performance in normal healthy females. Fifty young women between age group 17-21 years volunteered for the study. The following baseline parameters were recorded in postmenstrual and premenstrual phase of a menstrual cycle (Initial menstrual cycle) at the start of yoga practice- Body weight, Auditory Reaction Time (ART) and Visual Reaction Time (VRT). Following the baseline recording, subjects were randomly divided into two groups each having 25 subjects. Group I practiced yogic exercises for a duration of 35 minutes; 5 days a week for a period of three menstrual cycles and group II served as control (non yoga group). No recording was taken in the first menstrual cycle of yoga practice. Follow up recordings were taken in postmenstrual and premenstrual phases of second and third menstrual cycle in both the groups. Yoga group depicted a significant decrease in premenstrual body weight and also Auditory and Visual Reaction Times. The study also demonstrated over all beneficial effect of yoga during post menstrual phase also as depicted by reduction in reaction time leading to improvement in performance.