INTEGRATING YOGA INTO SPORTS PHYSIOLOGY: EFFECTS ON HEART RATE VARIABILITY AND AUTONOMIC FUNCTION TESTING FOR ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT
Main Article Content
Keywords
Yoga, Heart Rate Variability, Autonomic Function, Athletic Performance, Endurance Training
Abstract
Background: Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and autonomic function are essential physiological markers determining athletic performance and recovery. What remains underexplored are autonomic adaptations associated with traditional endurance training attempts that emphasize adaptations in cardiovascular and muscular systems. Several hypotheses have been proposed for which yoga, which integrates Pranayama (breath control), Asanas (postures), and Dhyana (meditation) has been hypothesized to promote autonomic and performance enhancement. This study investigates the impact of a 12-week yoga intervention on HRV, autonomic function, and endurance performance in athletes.
Methods: A quasi-experimental study was done of 40 endurance athletes of Jaipur (n=20 experimental and n=20 control receiving conventional training) and the experimental received the yoga training. At baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks, HRV parameters (RMSSD, SDNN, LF/HF ratio), autonomic function tests (Deep Breathing Test, Valsalva Ratio, Orthostatic HR Change,) and performance metrics (VO₂ max, heart rate recovery, 1.5 km run time) were assessed. SPSS 27.0 was used for statistical analysis and repeated measures ANOVA and paired t-tests were conducted.
Results: Significant improvements (45.2 ms vs. 63.4 ms, 58.3 ms vs. 72.9 ms, and 2.1 vs. 1.3) in RMSSD, SDNN, and LF/HF ratio, respectively, confirm higher autonomic stability in the experimental group. Valsalva Ratio improved from 1.5 to 2.0 and VO₂ max increased from 48.2 to 55.8 ml/kg/min. All parameters remained unchanged in the control group.
Conclusion: Levels of autonomic regulation, cardiovascular efficiency,y as well as endurance performance,e significantly increase with yoga. Yoga can be an important addition to endurance athletes’ training regimens to optimize recovery, prevent overreaching and overtraining, and increase physiological resilience.
Methods: A quasi-experimental study was done of 40 endurance athletes of Jaipur (n=20 experimental and n=20 control receiving conventional training) and the experimental received the yoga training. At baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks, HRV parameters (RMSSD, SDNN, LF/HF ratio), autonomic function tests (Deep Breathing Test, Valsalva Ratio, Orthostatic HR Change,) and performance metrics (VO₂ max, heart rate recovery, 1.5 km run time) were assessed. SPSS 27.0 was used for statistical analysis and repeated measures ANOVA and paired t-tests were conducted.
Results: Significant improvements (45.2 ms vs. 63.4 ms, 58.3 ms vs. 72.9 ms, and 2.1 vs. 1.3) in RMSSD, SDNN, and LF/HF ratio, respectively, confirm higher autonomic stability in the experimental group. Valsalva Ratio improved from 1.5 to 2.0 and VO₂ max increased from 48.2 to 55.8 ml/kg/min. All parameters remained unchanged in the control group.
Conclusion: Levels of autonomic regulation, cardiovascular efficiency,y as well as endurance performance,e significantly increase with yoga. Yoga can be an important addition to endurance athletes’ training regimens to optimize recovery, prevent overreaching and overtraining, and increase physiological resilience.
References
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8. Vinay KB, Mooventhan A. Effect of yoga on autonomic functions: A systematic review. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 2013;57(1):28-36.
9. Muralikrishnan K, Balakrishnan B, Sudhan CS, Rao BM. Heart rate variability in athletes and sedentary subjects. Clin Physiol Funct Imaging. 2014;34(1):17-22.
10. Khalsa SB. Yoga as a therapeutic intervention: A bibliometric analysis. J Altern Complement Med. 2004;10(1):85-90.
11. Bernardi L, Porta C, Gabutti A, Spicuzza L, Sleight P. Modulatory effects of respiration on autonomic cardiovascular control. Clin Sci (Lond). 2001;101(2):137-43.
12. Brown RP, Gerbarg PL. Sudarshan Kriya yogic breathing in the treatment of stress, anxiety, and depression. J Altern Complement Med. 2005;11(1):189-201.
13. Lehrer P, Gevirtz R. Heart rate variability biofeedback: How and why does it work? Front Psychol. 2014;5:756.
14. Sharma M. Yoga as an alternative and complementary therapy for cardiovascular disease: A systematic review. J Evid Based Complement Altern Med. 2014;19(2):144-50.
15. Krishnamurthy MN, Telles S. Assessing mindfulness: A new scale for measuring the benefits of yogic breathing techniques. Int J Yoga. 2007;10(2):89-96.
16. Swami G. Impact of meditation on athletes’ physiological and psychological states. J Sports Sci Med. 2018;17(3):213-22.
17. Chiesa A, Serretti A. Mindfulness-based interventions for chronic pain: A systematic review of the evidence. J Altern Complement Med. 2011;17(1):83-93.
18. Mooventhan A, Khode V. Effect of yoga therapy on heart rate variability and performance in young athletes. Int J Yoga. 2014;7(2):104-10.
2. Telles S, Singh N, Balkrishna A. Role of yoga in autonomic nervous system modulation: A review. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011;2011:1-12.
3. Pullen PR, Nagamia SH, Mehta PK, et al. Effects of yoga on autonomic function in heart failure patients. J Card Fail. 2008;14(5):407-13.
4. Tyagi A, Cohen M. Yoga, and heart rate variability: A comprehensive review of research evidence. J Complement Integr Med. 2016;13(1):1-18.
5. Stanley J, Peake JM, Buchheit M. Cardiac parasympathetic reactivation following exercise. Sports Med. 2013;43(12):1259-77.
6. Bhavanani AB, Madanmohan, Sanjay Z. Immediate effect of Sukha Pranayama on heart rate variability. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 2011;55(4):387-91.
7. Sandercock GR, Bromley PD, Brodie DA. Effects of exercise on heart rate variability: A review. Sports Med. 2005;35(8):697-713.
8. Vinay KB, Mooventhan A. Effect of yoga on autonomic functions: A systematic review. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 2013;57(1):28-36.
9. Muralikrishnan K, Balakrishnan B, Sudhan CS, Rao BM. Heart rate variability in athletes and sedentary subjects. Clin Physiol Funct Imaging. 2014;34(1):17-22.
10. Khalsa SB. Yoga as a therapeutic intervention: A bibliometric analysis. J Altern Complement Med. 2004;10(1):85-90.
11. Bernardi L, Porta C, Gabutti A, Spicuzza L, Sleight P. Modulatory effects of respiration on autonomic cardiovascular control. Clin Sci (Lond). 2001;101(2):137-43.
12. Brown RP, Gerbarg PL. Sudarshan Kriya yogic breathing in the treatment of stress, anxiety, and depression. J Altern Complement Med. 2005;11(1):189-201.
13. Lehrer P, Gevirtz R. Heart rate variability biofeedback: How and why does it work? Front Psychol. 2014;5:756.
14. Sharma M. Yoga as an alternative and complementary therapy for cardiovascular disease: A systematic review. J Evid Based Complement Altern Med. 2014;19(2):144-50.
15. Krishnamurthy MN, Telles S. Assessing mindfulness: A new scale for measuring the benefits of yogic breathing techniques. Int J Yoga. 2007;10(2):89-96.
16. Swami G. Impact of meditation on athletes’ physiological and psychological states. J Sports Sci Med. 2018;17(3):213-22.
17. Chiesa A, Serretti A. Mindfulness-based interventions for chronic pain: A systematic review of the evidence. J Altern Complement Med. 2011;17(1):83-93.
18. Mooventhan A, Khode V. Effect of yoga therapy on heart rate variability and performance in young athletes. Int J Yoga. 2014;7(2):104-10.
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Published
Mar 24, 2025
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How to Cite
Dr Manu saini, Dr Prem chand lamba, Dr Divya Joshi, & Dr Himanshu Gupta. (2025). INTEGRATING YOGA INTO SPORTS PHYSIOLOGY: EFFECTS ON HEART RATE VARIABILITY AND AUTONOMIC FUNCTION TESTING FOR ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT. Journal of Population Therapeutics and Clinical Pharmacology, 32(2), 813-822. https://doi.org/10.53555/4b96vh93
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Author Biographies
Dr Manu saini
Associate professor, Department of physiology, NIMS medical College
Dr Prem chand lamba
Assistant professor, Department of physiology, MGUMST Jaipur
Dr Divya Joshi
Assistant Professor, Department of physiology, GMC Chittorgarh.
Dr Himanshu Gupta
Assistant Professor, Department of physiology, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College, Jaipur
How to Cite
Dr Manu saini, Dr Prem chand lamba, Dr Divya Joshi, & Dr Himanshu Gupta. (2025). INTEGRATING YOGA INTO SPORTS PHYSIOLOGY: EFFECTS ON HEART RATE VARIABILITY AND AUTONOMIC FUNCTION TESTING FOR ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT. Journal of Population Therapeutics and Clinical Pharmacology, 32(2), 813-822. https://doi.org/10.53555/4b96vh93