Effect of select yogasanas and pranayama practices on selected physiological and biochemical variables among university

International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
ISSN (Online): 2319-7064
Volume 1 Issue 12, December 2012
www.ijsr.net
Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY
Effect of Select Yogasanas and Pranayama Practices
on Selected Physiological and Biochemical
Variables among University Football Players
Dr. T. Sivaprasad
Lecturer In Physical Education-S. B. S. Sanskrit College, Ponnur Town & Mandal-Guntur District-Andhra Pradesh, India
Abstract: The purpose of the study is to find out the effect of yogasanas and pranayama practices on selected physiological variables
such as pulse rate, vital capacity, percent body fat and biochemical variables such as high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein
and fasting blood sugar of University football players. Sixty men students in the age group of 18 to 25 years from Acharya Nagarjuna
University-Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, were randomly selected and served as the subjects for the present study. The subjects (N=60) were
divided into three equal groups. Experimental group I-was administered yogasanas exercise group, Experimental group II-underwent
pranayama practices and the third was the control group. All the groups were subjected to pre-test prior to the experimental treatment.
The experimental groups participated in their respective duration of six weeks training schedule. Analysis of Co-variance (ANACOVA)
was applied to determine the significance of mean difference between the three groups. When F-ratio was found to be significant, the
Scheffe‟s Post Hoc test was applied to test the significance of pairs of the adjusted final group means. Practice of the yogasanas and
pranayama practices is significantly effective in promoting desirable changes in the dependent variables.
Keywords: Pulse rate, Vital capacity, Percent body fat, Yogasana, Lipoprotein
1. Introduction
Human life focuses on physical, mental, social and spiritual
aspects. Human health is divided into physical, mental and
social dimensions. Autogenic training is a system of very
specific auto suggestive formula with a purpose to relieve
tension, stress and to eliminate psychosomatic disturbances
including many cases of insomnia, obesity, inability to
concentrate, high blood pressure, constipation, skin
problems, etc. Some people practice autogenic training as an
aid to meditate, in order to improve their mental
concentration in a focused way. Yoga and autogenic training
are useful to the modern man in relieving stress and tension
(Joshi et al, 1992; Sakai, 1997; Arambula et al, 2001;
Malhotra et al, 2002 Steeter and Kupper, 2002) The
purpose of any research should be to solve the existing
complications of the human being. Research should help the
society not only to create good health and happiness among
human beings, but also to improve the quality of life as well.
2. Methodology
The purpose of the study was to find out the effect of
yogasanas and pranayama practices on selected
physiological variables such as pulse rate, vital capacity,
percent body fat and biochemical variables such as high
density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein and fasting
blood sugar of University football players.
Selection of subjects
Sixty men University football players from Acharya
Nagarjuna University, Guntur-Andhra Pradesh in India,
were randomly selected and served as the subjects for the
purpose of this study. The selected subjects were in the age
group of 18 to 25 years.
Experimental design
The study was formulated as a random group design
consisting of select yogasanas and pranayama practices
groups. The subjects (N=60) were randomly divided into
three equal groups. The groups were named as follows:
Experimental groups I- yogasanas group, Experimental
group II- pranayama group and the third was acted as control
group. All the groups were subjected to pre-test prior to the
experimental Treatment. The experimental groups
participated in their respective duration of 6 weeks training
schedule.
Criterion measures
1) Physiological variables
a) Pulse rate was measured by manual method over a period
of one minute and recorded in beats per minute.
b) Vital capacity was measured by using wetspirometer and
each reading was recorded in milliliter.
c) Percent body fat was measured by using Harpenden skin-
fold caliper and each reading was recorded to the
nearest millimeter.
2) Biochemical variables
a) High density lipoprotein was tested in the biochemical
laboratory and the results were recorded in mg. %.
b) Low density lipoprotein was tested in the biochemical
laboratory and the results were recorded in mg%.
c) Fasting blood sugar was tested in the biochemical
laboratory and the results were recorded in gm/dl.
Statistical technique
Analysis of Co-variance (ANACOVA) was applied to
determine the significance of mean difference between the
three groups. When F-ratio was found to be significant, the
Scheffe‟s Post Hoc test was applied to test the significance
of pairs of the adjusted final group means.
Paper ID: 15051704 236

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Table 1: Analysis of Co-Variance for the Mean Difference (Adjusted Post Test Means)
Variables Exp. group - I Exp. group - II Control Group Source Sum of Squares Mean Square F-Value
Pulse Rate 81.28 78.41 83.30
B/S 241.02 120.51
11.53
W/S 585.57 10.46
Vital capacity 1180.01
1260.65 1074.34 B/S 346963.49 173481.74
30.74
W/S 316086.69 5644.41
% Body Fat 20.67 20.08 21.75
B/S 28.61 14.30 37.13
W/S 21.57 0.39
High Density Lipoprotein 48.05 49.47 45.79
B/S 137.02 68.51 19.30
W/S 198.78 3.55
Low Density Lipoprotein 112.62 110.75
116.42 B/S 332.70 166.35 42.65
W/S 218.45 3.90
Fasting Blood Sugar 106.09 100.97 110.28
B/S 870.49 435.25
35.84
W/S 680.09 12.15
* Significant at 0.05 level (df 2 and 56 was 3.16)
The corresponding F-values needed for significance at 0.05
level is 3.16. The calculated F-values on selected criterion
variables are 11.53 (Pulse Rate), 30.74 (Vital capacity, 37.13
(Percent Body Fat), 19.30 (High Density Lipoprotein), 42.65
(Low Density Lipoprotein and 35.84 (Fasting Blood Sugar).
Since the obtained F-ratio on criterion variables were higher
than the required table value of 3.16 at 0.05 level of
confidence it was found to be significant. Since the observed
mean difference among the three groups were found to be
statistically significant, in order to find out which of the
pairs of group means are significant, the Scheffe‟s Post Hoc
test was applied.
Table 2: Scheffe’s Test of Significance between Paired Adjusted Post Test Means
Variables Experimental Group - I Experimental Group - II Control Group M D F-value
Pulse Rate
81.28 78.41 - 2.87 7.877*
81.28 - 83.3 2.02 3.906
- 78.41 83.3 4.89 22.876*
Vital capacity
1180.01 1260.65 - 80.64 11.522*
1180.01 - 1074.34 105.67 19.784*
- 1260.65 1074.34 186.31 61.501*
Percent Body Fat
20.67 20.08 - 0.59 9.103*
20.67 - 21.75 1.08 30.577*
- 20.08 21.75 1.67 73.048*
High Density Lipoprotein
48.05 4947 - 1.42 5.744*
48.05 - 45.79 3.68 38.189*
- 4947 45.79 1.42 5.744*
Low Density Lipoprotein
112.62 110.75 - 1.87 8.945*
112.62 - 116.42 3.8 37.114*
- 110.75 116.42 5.67 82.499*
Fasting Blood Sugar
106.09 100.97 - 5.12 21.444*
106.09 - 110.28 4.19 14.497*
- 100.97 110.28 9.13 71.444*
Required value for significance at 0.05 level = 5.545
Paper ID: 15051704 237

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3. Discussion on Findings
The results of the study indicate that the selected
physiological and biochemical variables of the subjects
improved significantly after undergoing the yogasanas and
Pranayama practices for a period of 6 weeks. The analysis of
co-variance and analysis of variance of pulse rate on
yogasanas and Pranayama practices showed that there was
significant improvement in pulse rate due to 6 weeks of the
training. The finding of the study showed that there was a
significant improvement in normalizing the pulse rate in
Pranayama practices group better than the yogasanas
exercises group and control group. Yogasanas and
Pranayama practices are now practiced around the world for
its physiological and biochemical benefits. It reduces the
stress and increases relaxation, which may have a favorable
effect on heart rates. The present study confirmed with the
results of Pawlow and Jones (2002), Arambula et al
(2001) and Bhargava et al (1988).
The analysis of co-variance of vital capacity on Pranayama
practices group and yogasanas exercises group showed that
there was significant improvement in vital capacity due to 6
weeks of training. The finding of the study showed that there
was significant improvement in increasing the vital capacity
in Pranayama practices group better than the yogasanas
group and control group. Yogasanas and Pranayama
practices also improve the lung capacity and it was
discovered that pranayama caused general health
improvement through the enhancement of lung function and
to improve respiratory capacity of the human being. Asans
tone up the lungs. Pranayama is highly useful for
oxygenation. The findings of the study were in agreement
with the studies reported by Cysarz. and Bussing (2005),
Czamara & Michele (2003), Joshi et al (1992) and Birkel
and Edgren (2000).
The findings of the study showed that there was a significant
improvement in controlling the body fat level in
combination of Pranayama practices, yogasanas group was
better than the control group. Health risk associated with too
much body fat. The regular yoga practices can help in
weight management. Some of the asanas stimulate sluggish
glands to increase their hormonal secretions- especially, has
a remarkable effect on our weight. This happens due to body
metabolism. Fat metabolism is also increased in which fat is
converted into muscle energy. In this process fat loss
takes place and as a result one can attain better muscle
tone, higher vitality level and reduces anxiety. Deep
breathing in yoga increases the oxygen delivery to the body
cells and also including the fat cells.
The analysis of co-variance of high density lipoprotein and
low density lipoprotein on yogasanas exercises and
Pranayama practices groups showed that there was a
Paper ID: 15051704 238

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significant improvement in controlling the high density
lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein due to 6 weeks of the
training. The findings of the study showed that there was a
significant improvement in normalizing the high density
lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein level in Pranayama
practices group showed control over the high density
lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein level which was
better than the yogasanas exercises group and control group.
The biochemical benefits of yoga such as decrease of LDL
cholesterol, glucose and catecholamine and triggers the
resilience of the body. Yoga balances the weight of the
person without losing the strength through different types of
asanas. Yoga lowers blood sugar and LDL cholesterol and
boosts HDL cholesterol. The autogenic technique is one of
self supportive method which can enable the individual to
manage health and other problems like blood sugar, LDL
cholesterol etc., more successfully. The present study
confirmed with the results of Winter (1985) and Vyas and
Dikshit (2002).
4. Conclusions
Practice of the yogasanas exercises program is significantly
effective than the control group in promoting desirable
changes in selected physiological variables such as vital
capacity, percent body fat and biochemical variables such as
high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, fasting
blood sugar among university football players.
Practice of the Pranayama practices is significantly effective
than the yogasanas exercises program and control group in
promoting desirable changes in selected physiological
variables such as pulse rate, vital capacity, percent body fat
and biochemical variables such as high density lipoprotein,
low density lipoprotein and fasting blood sugar among
university football players.
References
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[2] Bhargava, R., Gogate, M.G and Mascarenhas, J.F.
1988. Autonomic responses to breath holding and its
variations following pranayama. Ind. J. Physiol.
Pharamacol., (4): 257-264.
[3] Birkel., D.A., Edgren, L., 2000. Hatha yoga: improved
vital capacity of college students. Altern. Ther. Health
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[4] Czamara, Joli Michele, 2003. Therapeutic benefits of
yoga: A100-week pilot study. Master‟s thesis.
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[5] Joshi, L.N., Joshi, V.D. and Gokhale, L.V. 1992. Effect
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[6] Khasky, A. D. and Smith, J.C. 1999. Stress, relaxation
states and creativity. Percep. Motor Skills, 8(2): 409-416.
[7] Sharma, S.B. 2002. Effect of Yoga asanas on nerve
conduction in type 2 diabetes. Ind. J. Physiol.
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Paper ID: 15051704 239

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