Sports and exercise medicine: An emerging medical speciality

Sports and exercise medicine (SEM) is a relatively new medical speciality that comprises sports medicine (overall medical care of active and exercising individuals for performance optimisation and improvement) and exercise medicine (use of physical activity and exercise for health and fitness promotion and illness and injury management). Physicians with specialisation in SEM and clinical and interventional physiology (CIP) have key roles to play in combating physical inactivity and non-communicable diseases which are threatening to become epidemic proportions on the one hand, and dismal sports performance and rising doping menace on the other hand. This review provides information regarding SEM as an emerging medical speciality, its domains, key roles of the SEM and CIP physicians and future prospects of this field. CIP along with exercise physiology, as the foundation of SEM, is discussed in this review.

Physiological changes during yogic relaxation practices

Background: Yogic relaxation practices produce consistent physiological changes. Various studies are on before and after effects of yoga. There is limited study on physiological changes during yoga. Aim and Objectives: In this study, we explored physiological changes during two yogic relaxation practices using polysomnography instrument. Materials and Methods: Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Institute Ethics Committee, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. Data were collected in a still, (supine position lying face upwards in Shavasan, before and after performing asanas) for 5 min, 10 min during, 5 min after the yogic relaxation practices (Shavasan and Makrasan). Recording were taken continuously after bio calibration as baseline1, shavasan, baseline2, makrasan, post makrasan. The data of pulse rate, respiratory rate and SPO2 were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20. Result: Among 18 participants of age 18–45 years, 11 male and 7 female were participated. Comparison of selected parameters (respiration rate, SPO2, heart rate [HR]) in different condition (baseline1, shavasan, baseline2, makarasan, post makarasan) was analyzed. Comparison of HR in different condition is highly significant; HR varies in makarasan significantly from baseline1, shavasan and baseline2. SPO2 changes significantly vay among different conditions. Changes in respiratory rate are not significant in different conditions. Correlation of age with body mass index is significant in post makarasan variable. Conclusion: Physiological changes occur differently in two different yogic relaxation practices. Further detailed study with large sample size, blood pressure monitoring and in well-trained individuals will provide more information.

Effect of yogic relaxation practices on reaction time

Background: Asanas or posture practice brings mental stability and fickleness of mind can be also prevented. Studies showed effects of different yoga on reaction time but there is very limited study to show effects of yogic relaxation practices only on reaction time. Aim and Objectives: This study was conducted to find out after effects of yogic relaxation practices on physiological parameters and reaction time comparing it with age matched control group. Materials and Methods: We included 18 participants of age 18–45 years each in yoga group (31.94 ± 7.64) and control group (31.39 ± 6.84). Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Institute Ethics Committee and All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. Data (blood pressure [BP], pulse rate, respiratory rate, visual, and auditory reaction time) were collected before and after 3rd week of yogic relaxation practices (shavasan and makrasan) in yoga group; likewise, data were collected without yogic relaxation practices in control group. Results: The gain score of the studied parameters was negative (<0) for yoga group, but positive (>0) for controls, indicates that yoga intervention resulted reduction in the values of yoga group. Result showed that change in studied parameters due to yoga intervention was statistically significant more in cases of yoga group to the change in control group with exception of RR and pulse rate. Parameters were comparable or similar between the two groups on baseline, we found statistically significant lower values for BP, visual, and auditory reaction time on 3rd week in yoga group. Conclusion: The beneficial effect of reduction in visual and auditory reaction time after practicing yogic relaxation can be applied to training curriculum.