Regulation of autonomic functions following two high frequency yogic breathing techniques

Yoga is an ancient Indian system of life, encompassing various practices including practices for self-discipline and also for regulating the health states of the individual, being practiced for thousands of years. The present study aims at understanding the effect of two high frequency breathing practices over autonomic nervous system. Forty healthy male volunteers of age 21 ± 2 years with 9 ± 3 months of Yoga practice experience were recruited. The two high frequency Yoga breathing practices, kapalabhati (KB) and bhastrika (BH) were given as interventions randomly on either of the two days to minimise laboratory bias. They were assessed before and immediately after the interventions for heart rate, respiratory rate, heart rate variability (HRV), blood pressure and peripheral oxygen saturation. There was a significant increase in heart rate (p < 0.01; p < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (p < 0.01; p < 0.001), NN50 (p < 0.01; p < 0.001) component of HRV for both KB and BH groups respectively. There was a significant reduction in respiratory rate in both the groups (p < 0.001, and p < 0.05, BH and KB respectively) immediately following intervention. A significant increase in LF component of HRV and reduction in Diastolic blood pressure and high frequency (HF) component following KB was also observed (p < 0.05, for all comparisons). The Mean peripheral oxygen saturation remained unaltered in both the groups (p > 0.05). The results suggest that high frequency yoga breathing practices induce physiological arousal immediately as evidenced by increased blood pressure and heart rate. The sympathetic arousal was more following KB session as evidenced by an increased diastolic blood pressure, LF power and a decrease in HF power of HRV as compared to the BH session.