Comparison of Changes in Autonomic and Respiratory Parameters of Girls after Yoga and Games at a Community Home

Abstract

The heart rate, breathing rate, and skin resistance were recorded for 20 community home girls (Home group) and for 20 age-matched girls from a regular school (School group). The former group had a significantly higher rate of breathing and a more irregular breath pattern known to correlate with high fear and anxiety, than the School group. Skin resistance was significantly lower in the School group, which may suggest greater arousal, 28 girls of the Home group formed 14 pairs, matched for age and duration of stay in the home. Subjects of a pair were randomly assigned to either yoga or games groups. For the former emphasis was on relaxation and awareness, whereas for the latter increasing physical activity was emphasized. At the end of an hour daily for six months both groups showed a significant decrease in the resting heart rate relative to initial values (Wilcoxon paired-sample rest), and the yoga group showed a significant decrease in breath rate, which appeared more regular but no significant increase in the skin resistance. These results suggest that a yoga program which includes relaxation, awareness, and graded physical activity is a useful addition to the routine of community home children.

Risk Indices Associated with the Insulin Resistance Syndrome, Cardiovascular Disease, and Possible Protection with Yoga: A Systematic Review

“…98,115,125,127 These trials included studies of healthy ¶ ¶ and hypertensive adults 107,123 and of healthy children. 115,141 In addition, in a cross-sectional study of healthy middle-aged men, Vyas and colleagues found those who had been practicing yoga meditation for 5 years or more to have significantly lower baseline heart rates than those who with no meditation experience. 96 Of those clinical trials demonstrating positive effects, yoga practice was associated with a 3.8 to 60.3% reduction in respiratory rate and a 4.3 to 38.8% decline in heart rate ( Table 5).…”

“…Seven studies (of 8 total) have documented a 3.8% to 60.3% reduction in respiratory rate with yoga relative to baseline 103,104,116,139,140 and/or controls receiving usual care 123 or an aerobic exercise program 141 (Table 5). These investigations include studies in healthy adults 103,104,116,139,140 and children, 141 as well as in hypertensive adults. 123 Similarly, 21 of 24 total clinical trials reported a 4.3% to 38.8% decline in heart rate relative to baseline, engagement in a relaxing, nonyogic activity 104,[142][143][144][145] and/or controls receiving usual care, 123 an aerobic exercise program, 141 or no intervention.…”

“…These investigations include studies in healthy adults 103,104,116,139,140 and children, 141 as well as in hypertensive adults. 123 Similarly, 21 of 24 total clinical trials reported a 4.3% to 38.8% decline in heart rate relative to baseline, engagement in a relaxing, nonyogic activity 104,[142][143][144][145] and/or controls receiving usual care, 123 an aerobic exercise program, 141 or no intervention. 98,115,125,127 These trials included studies of healthy ¶ ¶ and hypertensive adults 107,123 and of healthy children.…”

Meditative Movement for Respiratory Function: A Systematic Review

“…The majority of the studies involved adults; only 3 included children. 36,37,42 The sample sizes ranged from 10 to 158. Most studies had 20 -60 subjects, and only 5 studies had over 100.…”

“…Eleven studies focused on patients with respiratory disorders: COPD, 38,41,43,45,51,52,72,75 asthma 42,47 and pleural effusion. 48 Twenty-seven studied healthy people: older adults, 34,35,50,55,57,58,[60][61][62][63][64][65][73][74][75][76][77] healthy adults, 59 healthy males, 66,69 soldiers, 44 students, 46,53,71 children, 37 "residents," 59 and practitioners of tai chi/yoga. 56,67,68 The remaining 6 studies were on non-respiratory disorders (lower-limb disabilities, 70 breast cancer patients, 54 heart disease, 49 impaired vision, 36 Parkinson's disease, 40 and hypertension 39 ) but also measured respiratory outcomes.…”