A Comparative Study on Effects of Neutral And Cold Underwater Massage on the Physiological Parameters of Healthy Individuals

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Underwater massage has been reported to produce a significant number of physiological changes in blood pressure, heart rate variability, autonomic nervous system, and core temperature in young healthy subjects. The purpose of this study was to compare the impact on Regulatory response of Cardiovascular and Autonomic nervous system of neutral and cold underwater massage in healthy individuals. Methodology: The subjects were students of the S.D.M. college of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences, Ujire, Karnataka. They were randomly divided into two groups. According to the order in which they were recruited, they were allotted alternatively into two groups. Group-1: The neutral underwater massage group of 30 subjects and Group-2: The cold underwater massage group of 30 subjects. Subjects were assessed 5 minutes before and 5 minutes after the Neutral and Cold Underwater massage. Results: The results have shown statistically significant increase in Heart rate (p≤0.001), respiration (p≤0.05), body temperature (p≤0.001) and pulse (p≤0.05) after neutral underwater massage during intervention period. Conclusion: The present study suggests that there was a statistically significant relationship between ANS activity manifested by heart rate variability and water temperatures. Neutral underwater massage enhances parasympathetic activity which can be a tool to calm down the mind and cold underwater massage enhances sympathetic activity which can be applied in cardiac health.