ABSTRACT
Increasing physical inactivity in children necessitates the exploration of physical activities that can confer health benefits. The purpose of this study was to review the literature regarding the physiological benefits of Suryanamaskar, a composite yogasana on physical fitness in children. Primary source articles in English, published between 1980 and 2020, in peer-reviewed journals were included. A literature review was carried out using PubMed, Cochrane-Library, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases. Keywords used were “Suryanamaskar,” “physical fitness,” “sun-salutation,” “physiological effects,” “physical activity,” “health promotion,” “yoga,” and “children.” The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale. The effect of Suryanamaskar training on physical fitness components, namely flexibility, muscle strength, cardiorespiratory endurance, and cognition, was reviewed. Seven studies matched the inclusion criteria. All seven studies were randomized controlled trials. The level of evidence was of fair quality with a high risk of bias. Following Suryanamaskar intervention, improvement in musculoskeletal function—muscle strength and endurance, and the flexibility of hip joint, wrist joint, hamstrings, and dorso-lumbar fascia were reported. Improvements in cardiorespiratory variables such as peak expiratory flow rate forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume, vital capacity, and reduction in blood pressure and heart rate are reported in children. Improvements in cognition were also observed following Suryanamaskar’s intervention. Suryanamaskar training confers health benefits and improves physical fitness components such as muscle strength, flexibility, cardiorespiratory endurance, and cognition. Suryanamaskar can emerge as a useful tool to increase physical fitness, deter physical inactivity, and promote healthy behavior (sanskar) in school-going children. High-quality longitudinal randomized control trials need to be undertaken to confirm the same.
ABSTRACT
Background: To survive in this competitive world, one has to go through a lot of stresses & strains which, in due course of time, reflected in altered physiology of body. One such change is the cardiovascular response to cold stress. Yoga has been reported to be beneficial as a de-stressing technique. Aims & Objective: To investigate whether regular practice of Yoga which includes Suryanamaskar, Pranayama & Meditation for 3 months could reduce the cardio-vascular hyper-reactivity induced by cold stress. Materials and Methods: In the present study, 53 young healthy medical students underwent cold pressor test. 20 turned out to be hyper reactors to this test. These hyper reactors performed Yoga (Suryanamaskar, Pranayama & Meditation) for 3 months and Cold Pressor Test was again performed at the end of this period and cardiovascular hyper-reactivity (parameters are Blood pressure, Pulse rate, and Respiratory rate) before and after yoga compared. Results: Our results showed that 14 out of original 20 hyper reactors (70 %, P<0.001) were converted to hypo reactors. Conclusion: Regular practice of Yoga reduces cardiovascular hyper-reactivity to cold pressor test. If we can spread its benefits and importance to the society we can reduce the risks of many diseases especially those related to stress.
ABSTRACT
Suryanamaskar (SN), a yogic technique is composed of dynamic muscular movements synchronised with deep rhythmic breathing. As it may have influence on CNS, this study planned to investigate immediate effects of SN on reaction time (RT) and heart rate (HR). 21 female volunteers attending yoga classes were recruited for study group and 19 female volunteers not participating in yoga were recruited as external-controls. HR, auditory reaction time (ART) and visual reaction time (VRT) were recorded before and after three rounds of SN in study group as well as 5 minutes of quiet sitting in both groups. Performance of SN produced immediate decrease in both VRT and ART (P<0.001). This was significant when compared to self-control period (P<0.001) and compared to externalcontrol group, it decreased significantly in ART (p=0.02). This was pronounced when Δ% was compared between groups (P<0.001). HR increased significantly following SN compared with both self-control (p=0.025) and external-control group (p=0.032). Faster reactivity may be due to intermediate level of arousal by conscious synchronisation of dynamic movements with breathing. Rise in HR is attributed to sympathetic arousal and muscular exertion. We suggest that SN may be used as an effective training means to improve neuro-muscular abilities.