NADI SHODHANA PRANAYAMA AND ITS IMPACT ON PARAMETERS OF CARDIOVASCULAR, PULMONARY, AND BRAIN FUNCTIONS

Abstract

Background: Practice of pranayama has been recognized to control cardiac autonomic status with an improvement in cardio-respiratory functions. Objective: To determine impact of Nadi-shodana pranayama practice for 20 minutes on heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, peak expiratory flow rate. Methods: Ninety normal healthy subjects aged between 17-20 years of first year MBBS course volunteered for this study out of total 150. Among them 40 were females and 50 were males. They did not have any previous training in Pranayama. All the selected physiological parameters were measured before and after performing ‘Nadi-shodhana Pranayama’. Epi-info 7 was used for analysis. Results: Following nadi-shodhana pranayama a significant decline in basal heart rate and systolic blood pressure was observed. Peak expiratory flow rate was significantly improved (P<0.01). No significant changes in respiratory and other cardiovascular parameters were seen. Conclusion: Nadi-shodhana Pranayama swiftly alters cardiopulmonary response. Further studies on a larger sample size need to illustrate the underlying mechanisms involved in this alteration. Keywords: Nadi-shodhana pranayama, heart rate, blood pressure, peak expiratory flow rate.