Heart rate variability and pulse transit time performance of leg crossing on meditation practitioner

Abstract

Meditation is the traditional eastern method to improve health. Leg crossing is the main component on meditation to enhance the inner chi circulation. In this study, leg crossing effects was investigated with physiological parameters for meditation group. Five minute heart rate variability (HRV) and pulse transit time (PTT) was measured as feature for leg crossing. College students were recruited as subjects. There were 11 subjects as control group and 13 subjects with more than two years meditation practice experience as experimental group. Subjects were asked to sit with both legs stretched horizontally, and then in two half-lotus postures for five minutes, respectively. PTT was estimated from the Electrocardiogram (ECG) R peak to a characteristic point on the peripheral pulse by photoplethysmography (PPG). Physiological performances between free stretch and leg crossing posture were investigated. Concerned about the difference between free stretch and leg crossing posture, results indicated that there was significant HRV power increase but no PTT difference for meditation group, while there was less HRV variation but significant PTT increase for control group. PTT was proposed to be a good feature to measure meditation practice performance with the leg crossing practice. Key words: Heart rate variability, leg crossing, meditation, pulse transit time.