Effect Of 12 Weeks Yoga Training And 12 Weeks Detraining on Heart Rate Variability on Subjects with Hypertension

Abstract

Background: Healthy lifestyle modifications can prevent hypertension, an early predictor of cardiovascular disease. Yoga is an effective way to manage stress-induced disorders, such as hypertension. Objective: This study investigated the effects of yoga training on hypertensive individuals receiving routine treatment over a 12-week period, comparing and analyzing heart rate variability (HRV) parameters at and after the 12-week yoga training period (the 12th week) with hypertensives receiving routine treatment (the non-yoga group). Materials and methods: A total of 132 hypertensive subjects between the ages of 25 and 45 were randomly assigned to control or experimental groups (N=66), and 66 of these subjects were exposed to yoga therapy (N=66). Before, after, and during the study period, HRV parameters were obtained. Results: RM ANOVA was used to compare time domain and frequency domain parameters of HRV of the control group at pre, post, and detrain, and it was found that no significant difference existed between the groups. Test group mean values show a significant increase in time domain parameters compared with pre-training values after training. Test group post-training and detrain values significantly increased when compared to control group post-training and detrain values. Test group detrain values decreased significantly from post-training to test group detrain values. Conclusion: Yoga therapy increases the HRV values in essential hypertension at rest. An increase in vagal modulation, a reduction in sympathetic activity, and an increase in baroreflex sensitivity may be responsible for the harmonization of autonomic cardiovascular rhythms. The results of detraining from yoga did not result in an increase in HRV. As a result, the present study shows that regular yoga practice reduces hypertension, and deep rest keeps the body healthy.