Changes in heart rate variability following one month yoga practice

Abstract

Background: Yoga is a science that facilitates homeostasis, an ancient way of life intended to improve the quality of life of an individual. Practice of yoga is proposed to alter the autonomic nervous system and affect the cardiovascular functioning. Aim & Objectives: To asses the changes in heart rate variability following one month yoga practice. Materials and Methods: Thirty nine healthy male volunteers with ages ranging from 18–53 years were included for the study. They were are students of one month yoga instructor course at SVYASA Bangaloure. Heart rate variability was assessed before and after one month Yoga practice. Results: Data were checked for normality using Shapiro–Wilk test. Post values were compared with pre values using paired samples t-test and Wilcoxon signed rank test for normally distributed and not normally distributed data respectively. Shapiro–Wilk test indicated that SDNN (P = 0.0359), NN50 (P = 0.226), RMSSD (P = 0.452), LF (P=0.109), HF (P=0.0835) was normally distributed. There was a significant increase in SDNN after one month yoga practice compared to pre values (Paired samples t test, P <0.05). However, there was no significant change in Heart rate, RMSSD, NN50, LF, HF & LF / HF ratio. Conclusion: Autonomic balance tilts toward parasympathetic predominance after 1 month practice of yoga.