Consequences of Eight Weeks Yoga Program on Physiological Changes of Female Yoga & Non-Yoga Athletes

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of an eight-week Pranadharana (yoga) program on specific physiological variables in female athletes and non-athletes. The primary objective was to determine if consistent yoga practice significantly alters the resting heart rate and resting respiratory rate of young women.

A pre-test/post-test non-equivalent group design was employed. A total of 48 female subjects (24 athletes and 24 non-athletes) aged 18–25 were selected from the Kavayitri Bahinabai Chaudhari North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon.Subjects were randomly assigned to four groups (n=12 each): an experimental and a control group for both athletes and non-athletes. The experimental groups participated in a 45-minute Pranadharana session five days a week for eight weeks, while the control groups maintained their regular daily activities. Data were collected on resting heart rate and resting respiratory rate before and after the intervention. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was applied at a 0.05 level of significance to analyze the data.

Statistical analysis revealed that the eight-week intervention did not produce a statistically significant change in the selected physiological variables. Specifically, there was no significant difference observed between the experimental and control groups regarding their resting respiratory rates or resting heart rates following the program.

On the basis of the results obtained, it is concluded that the Pranadharana program, as implemented in this study, had no significant effect on the resting heart rate and resting respiratory rate of female athletes and non-athletes. Further research may be required to determine if a longer duration or higher intensity of practice is necessary to elicit physiological changes.