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| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2008 |
Volume
: 1 | Issue : 1 | Page
: 27-4 |
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Long-term effect of yogic practices on diurnal metabolic rates of healthy subjects
MS Chaya1, HR Nagendra2
1 Department of Life Sciences, Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (VYASA), Bangalore, India
2 Vyasa (Swami Vivekananda Yoga University), Prasanti Kuteeram, Jigani, Bangalore Dist-560 019, India
Correspondence Address:
M S Chaya
Department of life sciences, Vyasa (Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana) (A Deemed Yoga University), #45/3, KV layout, 2nd cross, 4th block east, Jayanagar, Bangalore 560019
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0973-6131.36761
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Background : The metabolic rate is an indicator of autonomic activity. Reduced sympathetic arousal probably resulting in hypometabolic states has been reported in several yogic studies.
Aim : The main objective of this study was to assess the effect of yoga training on diurnal metabolic rates in yoga practitioners at two different times of the day (at 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.).
Materials and Methods : Eighty eight healthy volunteers were selected and their metabolic rates assessed at 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. using an indirect calorimeter at a yoga school in Bangalore, India. Results and conclusions: The results show that the average metabolic rate of the yoga group was 12% lower than that of the non-yoga group ( P < 0.001) measured at 9 p.m. and 16% lower at 6 a.m. ( P < 0.001). The 9 p.m. metabolic rates of the yoga group were almost equal to their predicted basal metabolic rates (BMRs) whereas the metabolic rate was significantly higher than the predicted BMR for the non-yoga group. The 6 a.m. metabolic rate was comparable to their predicted BMR in the non-yoga group whereas it was much lower in the yoga group ( P < 0.001). The lower metabolic rates in the yoga group at 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. may be due to coping strategies for day-to-day stress, decreased sympathetic nervous system activity and probably, a stable autonomic nervous system response (to different stressors) achieved due to training in yoga. |
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