Abstract
Aims: to know the influence of yoga on autonomic functions of the body.
 Material and Methods: The present prospective case control study was conducted among patients visited the OPD, Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital, Bihar, India. The findings were tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis. Case group (N=30): subjects who were performing regular yoga asanas and relaxation techniques for at least 5 years. Control group (N=30): age and gender matched subject who were not performing yoga asanas and relaxation techniques or were not engaged with any other type of physical exercises.
 Results: Amongst the sympathetic nervous system parameters, statistically significant difference existed between cases and controls for the Resting Heart Rate, Resting Diastolic Blood Pressure, Hand grip systolic blood pressure and Hand grip systolic blood pressure (p<0.05) respectively.
 Conclusion: yogic activity significantly alters the sympathetic activity like heart rate and blood pressure.
 Keywords: Autonomic Nervous system, Yoga, Heart Rate, Blood Pressure
Highlights
Stress and anxiety, being the major contributors of morbidity, leads to many chronic diseases and is known to invariably decrease the quality of life and even life span
The results found in our study are in conformity with some findings of the previous workers like Bharashankar et al.vi The results of present study show a significant lowering of resting heart rate (RHR) by yoga and relaxation techniques
Similar results have been noticed by Murugesan R et al.vii and Sundar S et al.viii These modulations of autonomic nervous system activity might have been brought about through the conditioning effects of Yoga on autonomic function involving limbic system and higher areas of central nervous system.ix
Summary
Stress and anxiety, being the major contributors of morbidity, leads to many chronic diseases and is known to invariably decrease the quality of life and even life span. Socio-economic factors and industrialization along with pollution is a known factor towards causing stress and altered emotions, which carry a definite and well established role in precipitating cardio-vascular events.i. Chronic stress increases sympathetic discharge for a longer time and is characterised by a change in the set point of hypothalamo-pituitary axis activity, prompting quick impact on heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, respiratory rate, catecholamines and corticosteroids. Sympathetic over activity for a more drawn out time is related to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.ii Such a circumstance can be handled by straightforward way of life alteration including diet, exercise and yoga. There are very few studies done till date to substantiate the gradual practice of yoga and its role on autonomic variables. This study was conducted with an objective to know the influence of yoga on autonomic functions of the body
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