Researchers: Yoga Has Positive Health Benefits For Heart

Uttrakhand, India (AHN) – According to researchers and a new international, study heart rate variability, a sign of a healthy heart, has been shown to be higher in yoga practitioners than in non-practitioner. Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology in Roorkee, in Uttrakhand, India have conducted a study to go past anecdotal evidence and seek scientific truth for the meidcal benefits of the age old practice.

Heart rate is regulated through two routes – the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. When working well together, the two ensure that the heart rate is steady but ready to respond to changes caused by eating, the fight or flight response, or arousal.

The ongoing variation of heart rate is known as heart rate variability (HRV), which refers to the beat-to-beat changes in heart rate. In healthy individuals HRV is high whereas cardiac abnormalities lead to a low HRV.

Informal studies suggest that yoga practice may improve health through breathing exercises, stretching, postures, relaxation, and meditation.

The research team analyzed the HRV “spectra” of the electrocardiograms (ECG) of forty two healthy male volunteers who are non-yogic practitioners, and forty two who are experienced practitioners, all volunteers were aged between 18 and 48 years.

The team reviewed the preliminary data and concluded that in the study of the 84 volunteers, there is strengthening of parasympathetic (vagal) control in subjects who regularly practice yoga, which is indicative of better autonomic control over heart rate and so a healthier heart.

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