Effects of relaxing breathing exercises in healthy women

Abstract

Aim: We studied the effects of relaxing breathing exercises in healthy womens prior to enrollment in the present study. Methods: All of the subjects had never used relaxation technique. Examination 1: The pulse and blood pressare of thirty-five healthy women were measured while the women rested or performed relaxing breathing exercises. Examination 2: Fourty-four healthy women were divided into a relaxing breathing group and a rest group. The brain waves of each woman were measured for 3 minutes before, during, and after the experiment. Results: Examination 1: In the relaxing breathing group, the pulse rate was lower after the experiment than before the experiment. The pulse rate in the rest group did not change before and after the experiment. Examination 2: After the experiment, the amplitade of alpha waves increased in the relaxing breathing group and decreased in the rest group,. Although the amplitude of beta waves decreased in the relaxing breathing group and increased in the rest group, the difference was not significant. Conclusions: Relaxing breathing exercises decrease the pulse rate, compared with that in the rest state, and increase the amplitude of alpha waves. Even when relaxing breathing exercises were performed for the first time, they appeared to have the same effect as other relaxation technigues.