Comparative study of effects of exercise and yoga on cardio-respiratory parameters.

Both Physical exercises and yogasanas are accepted by people to remain fit. The present study is conducted to find out the efficacy of the practice in human beings by comparing the cardio-respiratory parameters with that of subjects not performing any of these two. 30 male age, height and weight matched subjects were selected in each group viz. Control, Exercise and Yoga groups. Their Cardio-respiratory parameters were taken and compared between the groups. The results showed decrease in Pulse rate, Systolic as well as Diastolic blood pressure, and respiratory rate in subjects of exercise and yoga groups compared to that of control group. Significant increase in Respiratory capacities, % of Forced expiratory volume in 1st second, Maximum expiratory pressure and Peak expiratory flow rate are seen in both the groups. The results showed reduction in Respiratory minute volume significantly more in yoga group compared to exercise group while increase in Inspiratory capacity is significantly more in exercise group compared to yoga group.

Breathing tests: a measure of the regulation of the maternal cardiovascular activity during pregnancy.

The study was the response to breathing test in 30 healthy pregnant volunteers in 20th to 29th weeks of singleton pregnancy with a mean of 25.2 gestational weeks. Deep breathing difference (DBD) was similar in both the groups. The heart rate variability was significantly lower in the second trimester of pregnancy reflected by the smaller standard deviation of R-R interval (SD R-R) during the quiet breathing test.

Screening of patients with snoring and obstructive sleep opnoea using heart rate variability indices

Snoring and obstructive sleep apnea [OSA] are common disorders. Snoring associated with excessive daytime sleepiness is the most prevalent symptoms of OSA. Heart rate variability [HRV] is altered in patients with OSA and the degree of alteration may be linked to the severity of OSA. Alterations in HRV in 24 hour tachograms have recently been used in screening OSA patients. Autonomic components causing HRV can be reliably studied using spectral analysis techniques involving fast Fourier transformation [FFT]. Twenty-three subjects, 13 with severe OSA and 10 controls matched for age and body mass index, were selected from patients who had undergone polysomnography [PSG] for snoring at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Oman. A 24- hour electrocardiogram [ECG] Holter recording was done at home, starting at 10am. Spectral analysis of ECG from sleep Holter and PSG recordings was analysed using fast Fourier transformation [FFT]. The ECG RR intervals of snorers with OSA were significantly shorter than in snorers without OSA [p <0.01]. The low frequency [LF] spectral densities of HRV from polysomnography and Holter were significantly higher in OSA patients than in snorers, [p < 0.0001]. The power spectral density of the high frequency bands was similar in the two groups. The overnight ECG Holter accurately identified all 13 snorers with severe OSA. The spectral power of the LF band obtained using FFT of sleep HRV from Holter tachograms may be a useful and cost effective test in identifying snorers with severe OSA