Effects of selected meditative asanas on kinaesthetic perception and speed of movement Study aim: To assess the effects of selected meditative asanas on kinesthetic perception and movement speed. Material and methods: Thirty randomly selected male students aged 18 - 24 years volunteered to participate in the study. They were randomly assigned into two groups: A (medidative) and B (control). The Nelson's movement speed and reaction test and horizontal space test (to assess the kinaesthetic ability to determine specific positions along the horizontal line) were applied. The subjects from Group A were subjected to 8-week training of meditative asanas which included Padmasana, Siddhasana, Sukhasana, Vajrasana and Ushtrasana. Results: The kinaesthetic perception and movement speed significantly (p<0.001) improved (by nearly 10%) in Group A compared with the control one. Conclusions: Training asanas may be recommended to improve concentration-based performance.

Background and Study Aim. The present study investigated the effects of 6-weeks bhastrika pranayama intervention (BPI) program on health-related components of physical fitness. Material and Methods. We used a quasi-experimental design with fifty-two healthy girls (Mean ± SD; age, 23.6346±1.1551 yrs; body height, 158.0961±3.8616 cm; body weight, 55.6826±3.4002 kg) from Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India. The subjects were divided into two groups: Group-A: Bhastrika Pranayama Intervention (BPI); (n1=26) and Group-B: Control; (n2=26). The sample size (N=52) was calculated using the G*Power 3.1.9.7 software. A power of 0.80 (1-β err prob) and significance level (α) of 0.05. Subjects from both groups (pranayama and control) were assessed at baseline and right after 6-weeks. Group-A: (n1=26) subjected to BPI and Group-B: (n2=26) with no training. Results. As compared BPI with the control group, the BPI group had a positive effect on selected health-related components of physical fitness (maximal oxygen consumption - VO2 max 1.3%; flexibility 1.8%; muscle strength 0.2.%). The 6-weeks Bhastrika Pranayama intervention program had no effect on the BPI group with respect to the parameter muscular endurance. Conclusions. Daily practice of Bhastrika pranayama helps to keep lungs more efficient. Additional research is required to completely comprehend the consequences of this breathing exercise. Bhastrika pranayama is known for oxygen-based breathing exercise which helps to fill up the lungs with more oxygen. Bhastrika pranayama interventions with short as well as long duration in future research studies could be beneficial for healthy individuals with respect to health-related fitness components.

Background and Study Aim. To assess the effects of Anulom Vilom Pranayama (AVP) or alternative nostril breathing and Rope Mallakhamb Training (RMT) on respiratory parameters among university females with athletic backgrounds. Material and Methods. A quasi experimental study was performed on thirty-six, university female students from the Department of Physical Education (T), Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India. The subjects were divided in three groups. The groups were subjected to 4-weeks of intervention including: Group A (n1=12) subjected to AVP, Group B (n2=12) subjected to RMT, and Group C: (n3=12) no training or control. Respiratory parameters were measured twice, pre and post intervention using a wet spirometer. All measurements were performed three times and the average values were recorded for analysis. Results. 4-weeks of AVP resulted in positive increases for respiratory parameters measured including Tidal Volume (VT) 25.7%, Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV) 29.4%, Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV) 27.1%, Vital Capacity (VC) 33.2%, and Inspiratory Capacity (IC) 31.6% compared to the control group. Also, 4-weeks of RMT had a positive impact on respiratory parameters including (VT) 19.8%, (IRV) 22%, (ERV) 19.4%, (VC) 32 % and (IC) 28.1% compared to the control group. Conclusions. Both AVP and RMT had a positive impact on respiratory parameters. Also, AVP training has a more positive impact on respiratory parameters than RMT and may also contribute to the enhancement of concentration-based performance and voluntary control of breathing among young females from athletic backgrounds. As a result, AVP training can be more beneficial for a competitive edge in order to improve the athletes' primary need for respiratory endurance.