Abstract
Study aim: The present study was aimed to evaluate the effect of three months (90 min daily for five days in a week) yogic practice on physiological and physical parameters of physically active service personnel.
Material and methods: Healthy male volunteers (n=60) of age 27±3 years were randomly selected from paramilitary force of the country in this study. A pre designed yoga training course for 3 months comprising of Prayer, Suddhi kriyas, Yogasanas, Pranayamas, Meditation, Mudra and Bandh was imparted daily by certified yoga teacher in the morning for 90 min.
Results: After three months of yogic training, body weight and body mass index did not change significantly, systolic blood pressure and mean blood pressure decreased significantly (p < 0.05). We did not found any significant change in heart rate diastolic blood pressure and respiratory rate. Breath-hold time and strength of the peripheral muscle (back and leg muscle strength) was increased significantly (p < 0.001), whereas peak expiratory flow rate did not change significantly. Anaerobic power was improved significantly (p < 0.05) by means of increasing peak power and average power.
Conclusion: The present study revealed that the practice of selected yogic training for 3 months resulted improvement in health and performance of the physically active paramilitary force of Indian army.